Andrei Kirilenko Rumors | Hoops Rumors

Atlantic Rumors: Nets, Kirilenko, Kenyon, Knicks

July 12th, 2013 at 9:20pm CST by Chuck Myron

GM Billy King says there's nothing untoward about the Nets discount signing of Andrei Kirilenko, despite whispers about under-the-table dealings, as Newsday's Roderick Boone reports.

"I can’t control what people think, what they say," King said. "I think some of the same things were said when Miami got the Big 3 together or guys have moved around. When things happen, people are surprised. My conscience is clean. I know in dealing with [Kirilenko's agent] Marc Fleisher and getting this deal done, I can’t control what people think."

There's more on Kirilenko's decision and other Atlantic Division rumblings, as we detail:

King said Kirilenko rejected the Nets' pursuit earlier this month, but the forward had changed his mind by the time King checked in with him again, Boone notes in the same piece.
The Knicks are eyeing free agent Kenyon Martin as they look for a backup big man, and Martin is keeping the Knicks in mind, guard Iman Shumpert tells Jared Zwerling of ESPNNewYork.com.
Wolves assistant Bill Bayno and Rockets assistant Jesse Mermuys are set to join Dwane Casey's staff with the Raptors, as Eric Koreen of the National Post passes along.
Philadelphia GM Sam Hinkie held forth on all things Sixers in his interview with HoopsWorld's Bill Ingram, affirming that ownership is on board with the drastic changes he's making to the team.
The Sixers' acquisition of Nerlens Noel for Jrue Holiday, Hinkie's first major move, became official today, as did the Celtics/Nets blockbuster. Brian Mahoney of The Associated Press examines Brooklyn's high-priced gamble.

Nets Sign Andrei Kirilenko

July 12th, 2013 at 3:50pm CST by Alex Lee

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.

Eastern Notes: Kirilenko, Henderson, Oden, Heat

July 12th, 2013 at 3:25pm CST by Luke Adams

When he turned down his $10MM+ player option with the Timberwolves, Andrei Kirilenko wasn't necessarily expecting to match that annual salary on a long-term deal, but he was seeking a three-year contract worth $8MM+ per season, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports. As Wojnarowski writes, that's why Kirilenko's decision to accept the Nets' $3.18MM mini mid-level exception is raising eyebrows around the NBA. Rival teams are suggesting the league look into the deal to make sure Nets owner Mikhail Prokhorov isn't somehow circumventing the league's CBA.

"There should be a probe," an Eastern Conference general manager said. "How obvious is it?"

"Let's see if the league has any credibility," one team owner said. "It's not about stopping it. It's about punishing them if they're doing it."

As we wait to see if the NBA looks into the Nets' agreement with Kirilenko, let's check in on a few more notes from around the Eastern Conference….

While the Bobcats are wary of overpaying Gerald Henderson, there's no doubt the team wants to bring him back, writes Rick Bonnell of the Charlotte Observer. Bonnell adds in a tweet that the team talked to Henderson's reps today and there was a "positive tone."
Bonnell says in another tweet that even though Greg Oden's agent, Mike Conley Sr., continues to list the Bobcats among potential destinations for his client, center is no longer an area of need for the team.
Conley's comments to Chris Tomasson of FOX Sports Florida suggest that Miami remains atop Oden's wish list anyway, and Heat president Pat Riley confirmed today the team remains interested, according to Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel (via Twitter).
Riley also told reporters, including Winderman (Twitter links), that the Heat don't plan to use their amnesty provision this week and that it's also becoming less likely that the team's mini MLE gets used. However, Riley didn't shut the door on either option.
Chris Smith, J.R. Smith's younger brother, is hoping to earn a spot on the Knicks' opening night roster, but acknowledges to Marc Berman of the New York Post that he'll have to prove he belongs.
Tom Ziller of SBNation.com examines how much value is attached to the option to swap draft picks with a trading partner, with a focus on today's completed Nets/Celtics deal.

Atlantic Notes: Kirilenko, Nets, Bargnani, Celtics

July 11th, 2013 at 7:12pm CST by Alex Lee

The Nets have dominated the NBA headlines again tonight, this time coming to an agreement with free agent Andrei Kirilenko on what seems to be a very team-friendly two-year deal. Let's take a look at what we're hearing about that deal as well as everything else going on in the Atlantic division here:

Given their cap situation, Kirilenko figures to cost the Nets much more than the $3.1MM he signed for this season when you consider the luxury tax. Ken Berger of CBS Sports estimates, via Twitter, the total cost to the Nets at about $15MM, further drilling home the notion that Brooklyn is going all in on the 2013/14 season.
David Aldridge of NBA.com writes that Kirilenko wanted to play for a contender and was concerned that potential sign-and-trades with other good teams might not work out, leading to his deal with the Nets.
Despite Aldridge's explanation, Grantland's Zach Lowe tweets that the Kirilenko deal is already "drawing confused and angry whispers" from the around the league.
With the Knicks deal for Andrea Bargnani finalized yesterday, GM Glen Grunwald explains why he agreed to include a first round pick in the deal for the sharp-shooting Italian, per Ian Begley at ESPN New York. Begley also writes that Bargnani is eager for a fresh start with the contending Knicks.
Purdue assistant Micah Shrewsberry will join the Celtics coaching staff, reports Baxter Holmes of the Boston Globe (via Twitter). Shrewsberry was an assistant at Butler under new C's coach Brad Stevens. Citing NBA sources, Holmes also tweets that the next hire for the Boston staff will probably have considerable NBA experience, with former Bulls assistant Ron Adams being a top target.

Cavs May Make Run At Andrei Kirilenko

July 10th, 2013 at 8:08pm CST by Chuck Myron

The Cavs struck a deal with Andrew Bynum earlier this evening, but they might not be done with significant additions yet, as a source tells Sam Amico of Fox Sports Ohio the team may turn its sights to Andrei Kirilenko (Twitter link). The veteran turned down a $10,219,420 player option to return to the Wolves next season, and he'd fill a hole at small forward for the team.

Bob Finnan tweets that the Bynum deal exhausted the Cavs' cap room, though I believe they'll still have about $3MM left once Bynum signs his contract. If the Cavs are out of cap space, they could use their $2.652MM room exception, so either way, they don't have much room to give Kirilenko a salary that comes close to what he turned down from Minnesota. The Wolves don't appear interested in a sign-and-trade, Finnan also notes, via Twitter.

The Spurs made a run at a sign-and-trade deal for Kirilenko and came up short, and the Wolves appear to be in the mix to re-sign the veteran as well. With a dwindling number of teams that have cap space and Minnesota seemingly unwilling to accomodate a sign-and-trade, re-signing with the Wolves may be Kirilenko's most lucrative option left.

Atlantic Rumors: Sixers, Bynum, C’s, Knicks, Nets

July 10th, 2013 at 2:30pm CST by Luke Adams

Atlantic teams have been among the clubs finalizing deals agreed to during the moratorium today, including the Sixers officially making a trade with the Pelicans and the Knicks and Raptors formally completing their Andrea Bargnani swap. As teams and players continue to put pen to paper, let's round up a few items of note out of the division…

When the Sixers agreed to send Jrue Holiday to the Pelicans in exchange for Nerlens Noel and a 2014 first-rounder, Noel wasn't the only player Philadelphia would have accepted with that No. 6 overall pick. According to Dei Lynam of CSNPhilly.com, the Sixers would also have made the deal if New Orleans was able to select Anthony Bennett or Victor Oladipo. Those two players, of course, ultimately went first and second overall.
The Sixers continue to keep their options open and have "absolutely not" ruled out re-signing Andrew Bynum, a source tells Bill Ingram of HoopsWorld (Twitter link). That seems like a long shot to me, but Philadelphia should still have plenty of cap room to make a move.
Michael Curry has yet to formally interview for the Sixers' head coaching job, but expects to talk to GM Sam Hinkie after Summer League play, tweets Lynam.
Although the Celtics could have their mid-level and bi-annual exceptions available, GM Danny Ainge says minimum-salary signings are more likely, according to Gary Washburn of the Boston Globe (via Twitter).
The Knicks are interested in Tyrus Thomas, who was officially released via the amnesty clause by the Bobcats today, tweets Frank Isola of the New York Daily News. New York won't have a chance to place a claim on Thomas, but could negotiate a new deal with him if he clears amnesty waivers.
Don't expect Andrei Kirilenko to be the Nets' "Plan B" after the team failed to lock up Bojan Bogdanovic. Stefan Bondy of the New York Daily News says (via Twitter) that there's nothing happening between Kirilenko and Brooklyn.

Spurs Made Run At Andrei Kirilenko

July 10th, 2013 at 8:13am CST by Luke Adams

The Spurs explored the possibility of acquiring Andrei Kirilenko from the Timberwolves via a sign-and-trade deal, but talks between the two sides appear to have ended without an agreement, reports Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports.

Although San Antonio seriously considered a multiyear offer for Kirilenko, the club doesn't have the cap space or exception room to add the Russian forward without a sign-and-trade. So far though, Timberwolves president Flip Saunders has shown little, if any, inclination to assist Kirilenko in securing a significant financial commitment from another club, sources tell Wojnarowski.

Kirilenko and the Spurs had been discussing an annual salary worth about $8-9MM, and Minnesota was unwilling to take back the salary necessary to complete a sign-and-trade for that amount, says Wojnarowski. Doing so would have compromised the Wolves' ability to add free agents Kevin Martin and Chase Budinger, and would have affected their continued pursuit of Corey Brewer.

According to Wojnarowski, the Thunder have resisted the idea of accommodating a sign-and-trade for Martin, while the Nuggets have been similarly reluctant to work out a sign-and-trade involving Brewer. Denver isn't interested in acquiring Luke Ridnour or J.J. Barea, which would likely be necessary for Brewer to earn a $5MM annual salary with the Wolves, notes Wojnarowski.

Although the Nuggets were also very interested in re-signing their own free agent swingman, the team has been unwilling to go as high as the Wolves on an offer for Brewer. With other teams also in the mix, it now appears unlikely that Brewer will return to Denver, according to Woj.

Pacific Notes: Kings, Salmons, Lakers, Scalabrine

July 9th, 2013 at 11:27am CST by Luke Adams

Let's round up a few Tuesday morning items out of the Pacific Division….

Having missed out on Andre Iguodala, the Kings are still seeking a small forward, as Jason Jones of the Sacramento Bee writes. Within his piece, Jones notes that the Kings haven't shown interest in Andrei Kirilenko or Corey Brewer, and explores some trade possibilities for the club.
The Kings continue to have interest in Monta Ellis, and ESPN.com's Marc Stein points out in a tweet that the team could potentially amnesty John Salmons to create the cap space necessary to sign Ellis. Of course, that would create an even bigger hole at small forward.
Marc Berman of the New York Post is the latest to speculate that Carmelo Anthony might decide to sign with the Lakers next summer, especially if the Knicks underachieve in 2013/14. However, Tom Ziller of SBNation.com is skeptical about the Carmelo-to-L.A. rumblings, explaining in his latest piece why he thinks it's a comical idea.
Warriors head coach Mark Jackson tweeted word last night that the team has brought Brian Scalabrine aboard as an assistant.

Cavs Offered Bynum Two-Year, $24MM Deal

July 8th, 2013 at 9:26pm CST by Zachary Links

The Cavs are pushing for free agent center Andrew Bynum to accept a two-year, $24MM+, incentive-based contract offer, league sources told Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports. Cavs execs met with Bynum in Cleveland on Monday, but could lose patience with waiting on him to make up his mind.

Cleveland's offer includes a team option in the second year of the deal, sources told Wojnarowski. The 25-year-old met with Hawks officials after his Ohio pow-wow and Cleveland has begun to engage free agents Andrei Kirilenko and Elton Brand on possible one-year deals that would preclude the Cavaliers from the ability to sign Bynum, according to league sources.

The incentives of a possible Bynum contract have incentives tied to completing training camp and reaching minutes and games-played plateaus in the regular season. The team option on year two could be giving the center pause as his camp has been looking for one-year, high-money deals that would allow him to hit the market again next summer.

The Cavaliers see the possibility of a Bynum reclamation project coupled with All-Star point guard Kyrie Irving making for a strong recruiting pitch to LeBron James next summer. They'll have competition for his services though. In addition to the Hawks, Bynum is also set to sit down with the Mavericks this week.

Wolves Rumors: Pekovic, Martin, Trades, Rubio

July 8th, 2013 at 9:41am CST by Luke Adams

According to reports from Darren Wolfson of 1500 ESPN Twin Cities and Jerry Zgoda of the Star Tribune, the Timberwolves have formally extended a multiyear contract offer to restricted free agent Nikola Pekovic. Zgoda, who expects Pekovic to sign a four-year deal worth $12MM or more, says the offer was made on Friday and that the Wolves expect an answer from the big man's camp early this week.

Here's more out of Minnesota from Wolfson:

The Thunder have interest in signing-and-trading Kevin Martin to the Wolves, but an outright signing is more likely. Andrei Kirilenko's camp is also pushing for a sign-and-trade, says Wolfson, but the Wolves are more likely to simply renounce his rights.
In their search for a defensive-minded wing, the Wolves are exploring trades involving Luke Ridnour and J.J. Barea. While Ridnour is drawing more interest, the team may prefer to move Barea, since head coach Rick Adelman likes Ridnour.
Prior to being waived yesterday, Greg Stiemsma was offered to every team in trade talks, but no clubs were willing to give up anything of value.
The Wolves have inquired on Chauncey Billups, but are focusing on other needs for now.
Barring an unforeseen catastrophe, Ricky Rubio will be offered a new five-year contract next summer, when he becomes extension-eligible.
While Wizards exec Milt Newton appeared to be a candidate for the Wolves' GM job, he'll likely remain in Washington. Wolves president Flip Saunders figures to promote internally for the team's GM job, with Wolfson citing Rob Babcock as a possibility.