Kirk Hinrich Trade Reportedly Upset Multiple Bulls Players

The Chicago Bulls traded veteran point guard Kirk Hinrich to the Atlanta Hawks at the Feb. 18 trade deadline as a way to procure a trade exception, a second-round pick and luxury-tax savings of $2.5 million, but the move reportedly didn't sit well in the team's locker room.   

According to the Chicago Tribune's K.C. Johnson, the move—which was also internally billed as a way to free up playing time for Justin Holiday—painted the front office in a bad light from the players' perspective: 

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That those assets could become trade chips and Holiday has played well hasn't assuaged some players' puzzlement over Hinrich's departure. Beyond his limited-minutes defensive aptitude, Hinrich possessed a powerful, behind-the-scenes presence of accountability and quietly helped teammates in a well-received manner.

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Johnson added that Hinrich's departure "had another ripple effect in an already-fragile locker room" after the floor general "took less money to sign with the Bulls under the assumption he'd stay."

Hinrich's teammates weren't the only ones caught off guard by the deadline deal. Speaking to reporters shortly after the league office approved the trade, Hinrich revealed he was "shocked" and "didn't see it coming," according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution's Chris Vivlamore. 

Since the deal, Hinrich has acclimated himself to life with the playoff-bound Hawks, while the Bulls have dealt with the reality that they won't be participating in the playoffs for the first time since 2008. 

Although Chicago appeared on pace to qualify for the postseason after winning 26 games through the end of January, the wheels fell off when the team needed to make a push.

As injuries plagued Joakim Noah (shoulder), Jimmy Butler (knee) and Derrick Rose (elbow, groin, hamstring) down the stretch, Chicago stumbled to the tune of a 4-8 record in February and an 8-9 mark in March before getting bounced following a 3-3 start to April. 

Segment	Offensive Rating	Defensive Rating	Net Rating
Pre-All-Star	100.6	101.6	-1.0
Post-All-Star	104.3	108.1	-3.8

The Bulls have also faced pressing questions regarding a negative mood that had reportedly enveloped the locker room. According to The Vertical's Chris Mannix, "chemistry issues" emerged as a legitimate concern between the team's players and head coach Fred Hoiberg—who underwhelmed during his first year on the job. 

As a result, Mannix reported "a shakeup is inevitable," with Rose and Butler listed as potential—and at this point, potential is all it is—trade casualties come this summer. 

But with distrust permeating the team's locker room as a result of the Hinrich move and the buildup of a season's worth of frustration, change may be what's best for several key members of the organization at this point.