FRIDAY, 3:50pm: The Nets have officially signed Kirilenko, the team announced today in a press release.
THURSDAY, 6:22pm: According to multiple reports, Andrei Kirilenko has agreed to sign with the Nets for their taxpayer's mini mid-level exception, which is worth about $3.1MM. The move was first reported by longtime NBA writer Peter Vecsey (Twitter link) and then confirmed by Stefan Bondy of the New York Daily News (Twitter link), who later tweeted that the deal is a two-year contract with a player option for the second year. The 6-foot-9 forward is the latest big splash for the Nets in an offseason full of them. He will join a talented and determined group of veterans in a ring-or-bust environment in Brooklyn.
Kirilenko, 32, averaged 12.4 PPG and 5.7 RPG last year for the Timberwolves after spending the entire lockout-shortened season of 2011/12 playing back in his native Russia. He spent the 10 years prior in a Jazz uniform. While he wasn't the All-Star he was in his Utah days last year, Kirilenko was still an efficient player for Minnesota, tallying a PER of 17.67 in 64 games. He will presumably come off the bench in Brooklyn.
This moves promises to raise some eyebrows, as Kirilenko turned down a player option from the Wolves worth more than $10MM and has now chosen to sign with the Nets and fellow Russian Mikhail Prokhorov for considerably less. Prior to his NBA career, Kirilenko played for CSKA Moscow from 1998 to 2001, then owned by Prohkorov. We had heard Kirilenko's name primarily connected with the Spurs and Cavs of late, so this news definitely comes as a surprise. Just yesterday, Bondy reported that there was "nothing happening" between Kirilenko and the Nets.
Kirilenko is represented by Marc Fleisher at Entersport, as shown in our agency database.
The Nets are putting together quite the team for Kidd. Not sure how long the window will be open, but I like the roster. AK can play SF/PF and limit Pierce’s and KG’s minutes.
On a side note too, they could give Pierce minutes at SG, allowe AK to play the 3 and be better defensively.
yeah exactly. Plus in my opinion AK is one of the better defenders to stick on Melo and Lebron. He won’t shut them down, but his length can give them some trouble.
this team is going to be funny to watch. Thats a ton of ego on one team. Its either going to work and they will challenge the heat for a title(still probably wont) or crash and burn and be funny to watch.
Yeah they have ego, but also a bunch of veteran players that will sacrifice some numbers if it means winning a ring. We already saw Pierce/KG do it in Boston. They will also provide better spacing for Williams and Lopez down low. One player to worry about is iso Joe thinking he is Melo or Kobe…
I think with Pierce and KG on board this team will sacrifice the way KG and Allen had to when they came to Boston. These two know how to win, and Jason Terry does as well. Add a fresh out of the league Jason Kidd, also an NBA champion, and this team looks solid. Certainly wont be easy though
I would expect the latter. Think of the LA Angels as a potential comparison..
and to think he turned down his 10miilion $$ player option.. guess that gamble didnt work out for him..
This is one of the better signings. Even at his age AK47 is still very versatile. I like how this team is formed. Remember that Williams was hurt last year and Lopez is improving a ton. Corey brewer would have been ideal as well. This team lacks perimeter defensive capability. Well see how good the chemistry is
Straight up steal that seriously disappoints me as a Wolves fan. Thought he wasn’t coming back because of more money/years.
I am disappointed he won’t be back because he contributes in every possible way, but it is a win-win. The Wolves got to spread the money they were going to pay him which fixes the Wolves greatest problem, depth and he gets to play in a good situation with their roster, market and owner.