Today's the day for Gordon's contract decision

Ben Gordon sat on the sideline and watched Tuesday's practice as promised, except for a short breakfast break.

Gordon plans to decide today whether to sign the one-year qualifying offer or accept the Bulls' contract offer worth roughly $59 million over six years. If he takes the qualifying offer, worth $6.4 million, he cannot be traded without his consent and becomes an unrestricted free agent next summer.

Any other scenario, such as a sign-and-trade deal with another team, is a decided long shot. Only Gordon knows which way he is leaning.

"We talked a lot about not getting behind on things, the terminology," coach Vinny Del Negro said. "He's ready to go. Hopefully, we'll get that situation resolved in the next day or two and go on from there."

Hinrich stays in red: When the Bulls drafted Derrick Rose last June, many NBA observers assumed that meant Kirk Hinrich would be traded.

Well, Hinrich is beginning his sixth season with the Bulls and doesn't figure to leave anytime soon. Asked if he was surprised to be back, Hinrich downplayed the summer speculation.

"I don't listen to that," he said. "Obviously, there was so much going on and the people around you, your friends and stuff, listen to it. Nobody really knew what was happening.

"We had a bad year, and when that happens, there's a lot of uncertainty. I'm just happy to be back and ready to go. I felt I has the best off-season I've had in my career and I'm fired up."

Bull horns: Another observer at Tuesday's practice was second-round draft pick Omer Asik, a 7-foot center who is expected to play in his native Turkey for two more seasons. ... Tyrus Thomas and Cedric Simmons were asked to run extra sprints at the end of the morning session. ... Tickets for all 2008-09 Bulls home games go on sale at 10 a.m. Friday.