If determinism is true, and free will does not exist, does free thinking still exist?

If hard determinism is true, and free will does not exist. Then free thinking does not exist for thought and choice are intertwined whether it be on a conscious level or subconscious level. For everything is predetermined by natural laws. Meaning you were going to ask this question no matter what, even if you thought you had a choice, you really didn't, because even if you can contemplate the alternative, the alternative does not exist. You thought out question that you decided to post is already predetermined by prior events that lead up to this point. It is not an easy concept to understand, however it involves the illusion of free will that we think we have but do not realize our choices are already predetermined.