<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">At every opportunity, general manager John Paxson has stressed how much Kirk Hinrich means to the Bulls and how much he wants to sign him to a long-term extension. Hinrich, as is his nature, hasn't said much on the subject. That changed Friday. Click here to find out more! "I got the impression that it's going to get done," Hinrich said. "But I'm not counting on it, so if it doesn't, I'm not disappointed and thrown into shock. I'm going to plan on playing another year with the deal I have. If it happens, great, because I want to stay here. If not, I'm just going to keep doing what I'm doing." With slightly more than two weeks until the Oct. 31 deadline for extensions, Paxson and Jeff Austin, Hinrich's agent, don't appear close to an agreement. All that means is Hinrich becomes a restricted free agent next summer, allowing the Bulls to match any offer he might receive. Next summer also is when Paxson must try to extend Andres Nocioni?who also will be restricted?and the window opens for long-term extensions for Ben Gordon and Luol Deng. The Bulls are in salary-cap position to sign most, if not all, of their core players and avoid paying the league's luxury tax. Hinrich is eligible to sign a six-year extension next summer, as opposed to a five-year deal now. But the delay, as usual, is about money. Rest assured that if the two sides hit on the right number, a five-year deal would be signed immediately. "I'm comfortable financially right now," Hinrich said. "I don't spend a lot. Some guys spend a lot of money and need to sign. I feel comfortable that if I have a good year and our team is good, whatever happens happens." As he spoke, Hinrich looked like he would rather be guarding Tony Parker or perhaps putting up drywall. He shifted uncomfortably. He averted eye contact. Besides Paxson's desire to keep Hinrich in a Bulls uniform long term, this is exactly why a deal eventually should get done. Hinrich doesn't like the spotlight. He is comfortable here. He grew up a fan of the Bulls and likes the franchise's direction. Starting over as a big-money savior for a new franchise doesn't sound like Hinrich. Plus, only Milwaukee of the three teams with major cap room next summer?Charlotte and Orlando are the others?needs a point guard. "It's going to be a difficult decision," Hinrich said. "When you're talking numbers like we're talking, it's almost surreal." That word seems fitting for the last restricted free-agent scenario Paxson faced. Eddy Curry eventually was traded to the Knicks after a dispute over genetic testing for his heart condition.</div> Source
I wonder how much his agent is asking for? Maybe Paxson is waiting to see what other teams think he's worth.
