One of the NBA's best on-the-ball defenders is back in the league.

Lindsey Hunter, a 15-year veteran, signed a contract with the Chicago Bulls on Thursday.

Contract terms were not disclosed by the team, but a source told ESPN.com that Hunter agreed to a one-year, nonguaranteed contract. His salary will be a prorated share of the veteran's minimum of about $1.3 million for players with at least 10 years' experience.

Hunter is expected to be in uniform Thursday night when the Bulls play host to the Dallas Mavericks.

He will add a veteran presence to a roster already jam-packed with guards, although the backcourt has been depleted by injuries to Larry Hughes (dislocated shoulder) and Kirk Hinrich (thumb surgery).

Hughes is expected to return as early as this weekend, while Hinrich is out at least three months. Hunter could see minutes as the backup point guard behind rookie Derrick Rose, who is averaging a team-high 38 minutes. The Bulls had been carrying only 14 players on their roster, and thus did not need to waive anyone to make room for Hunter.

Hunter spent the past five seasons with the Detroit Pistons, mostly as a defensive specialist regarded as one of the league's best at pressuring the ball in the backcourt. He appeared in 11 playoff games for the Pistons last season and recorded eight steals.

He can be a good 10-12 minute guy I think. He's one of the worst offensive guards in the league but his defensive is still really good.

With Hinrich and Hughes out...this gives us a way to keep Rose's minutes more under control.

Or, alternatively...gives us our new center for our super-small, unstoppable lineup!

so when everyone gets healthy will have 6 guards overall! For now is not bad someone has 2 make a move later on when everyone in the whole world knows what we need the past 3 years!

i think its a stupid move, but its whatever, doesnt hurt us, right? oh well

i think its good for the team, we get a veteran and some leadership, and he will be able to help rose out. hes probably only going to be playing 6-10 min anyway.

I see no problem with this move. He won't likely play much, but he can be a good vet to have on the team and spell Rose a little. Especially with Rose's back spasms and the long season that awaits him, it would be wise not to overplay him, so signing Hunter to play just 5-10 minutes is smart.

Hunter sighting. He was being guarded and had no legs to move anywhere. So he gave the defender two forearm shivers.