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The Bernstein Brief: A Suggestion For Fred Hoiberg

By Dan Bernstein--

(CBS) Whenever Fred Hoiberg becomes the Bulls' next head coach, I have a suggestion for an easy addition to his staff, one that helps his team in two ways.

Kirk Hinrich can't play anymore. His 34-year-old body looks at least 10 years older than that when moving around the court now, having weathered countless injuries over 28,000 NBA minutes in 898 regular-season and playoff games. He has earned a healthy $66 million in those 13 seasons.

He knows where to be still but too often just can't get there in time or be effective if he does. That means he's ready to coach, just like his dad has done for decades.

Hinrich can pick up a clipboard, remove the goggles and various compression sleeves and pads and braces holding him together, then save the Bulls nearly $3 million dollars in cap space. It's not a lot, but every bit of flexibility helps as the Bulls will likely be near the luxury tax, assuming they re-sign Jimmy Butler to a max deal. And Hinrich can be rewarded for doing so with some kind of negotiated parting gift.

A loyal, hardworking Bull has given everything of himself and can increase his value to them if he wants to transition to the next phase of his basketball career at the perfect time.

Dan Bernstein is a co-host of 670 The Score's "Boers and Bernstein Show" in afternoon drive. Follow him on Twitter  @dan_bernstein and read more of his columns here.

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