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Andrei Kirilenko Opts Out

Discussion in 'NBA Dish' started by thisiscaketown, Jun 29, 2013.

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thisiscaketown Member

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ESPN said:

MINNEAPOLIS -- Andrei Kirilenko is opting out of the final year of a contract that would have paid him $10 million next season with the Minnesota Timberwolves, making him a free agent.

Kirilenko made the decision on Saturday, the deadline that was written into the two-year, $20 million deal he signed last summer, a person with knowledge of the situation told The Associated Press. The person requested anonymity because an official announcement has not been made.

In turning down the final year of his contract with the Timberwolves, Kirilenko is instead hoping to get a little extra security with a longer term deal when the market opens at 12:01 a.m. Eastern on July 1.

The versatile forward is coming off a rejuvenating year in which he averaged 12.4 points, 5.7 rebounds and 1.5 steals per game for the Wolves, his best season in the league since 2005-06. The 32-year-old had more spring in his step after spending the lockout year playing at home in Russia, and he flourished in Rick Adelman's free-flowing system.

But Kirilenko also missed 18 games with assorted injuries, one of a number of Timberwolves players who missed significant time last season, the ninth straight year they have missed the playoffs. Kirilenko was largely responsible for the Wolves' dramatic improvement on the defensive end, with Adelman enjoying the luxury of being able to put him on every position besides center, depending on who was the biggest threat on a given night.

His ability to pass and move without the ball also made him ideal for Adelman's offense, and the veteran was superb in helping fellow Russian Alexey Shved make the transition to Minnesota for his rookie season last year.

New Timberwolves President Flip Saunders started getting an inclination that Kirilenko could opt out at least a week ago, and he made some plans for such a scenario.

The Wolves acquired swingman Shabazz Muhammad in a draft-night deal with the Utah Jazz on Thursday night in part to give them some depth at small forward. They also have Derrick Williams on the roster, though he has shown in his first two seasons to be a more natural fit at power forward and could be on the move himself.

The Wolves could try to negotiate a longer term deal -- perhaps two or three years -- at a reduced salary to bring Kirilenko back. Or they could use the $10 million they're saving on his contract to help pay restricted free agent center Nikola Pekovic, who is expected to get a significant offer on the open market that the Wolves will have the option of matching, and add a veteran shooting guard to a team that finished last in the league in 3-point shooting last season.

Kirilenko's decision could leave the Wolves with about $7 million to spend on free agents. O.J. Mayo, Kyle Korver, Kevin Martin, J.J. Redick and Marco Bellinelli all could be free agent targets for the Wolves. They also want to re-sign unrestricted free agent forward Chase Budinger, who would help fill in for Kirilenko.

If Kirilenko does go elsewhere, he will undoubtedly be a sought-after veteran. He proved last season that he still had plenty of good basketball left in him after four years of declining production led to his decision to play 2011-12 in Russia. And any team looking for a lockdown defender and willing passer to help make a playoff push could jump at the chance to bring him into the mix.
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http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/9...ko-opts-minnesota-timberwolves-deal-last-year

#1 thisiscaketown, Jun 29, 2013

AroundTheWorld Member

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Obligatory:

#2 AroundTheWorld, Jun 29, 2013
baller4life315 Member

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I understand why a player would desire a long-term deal, but $10M certainly is a lot of money to leave on the table!

#3 baller4life315, Jun 29, 2013
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He's taking a risk. But that said, there are quite a few teams with cap space. Worst case, he's likely going to get that 10 mil / 1 year from a team like the Mavs after they miss on Dwight. Best case, a team like the Cavs decide to make a playoff push and give him something like a 4 years / 8 mil a year.

#4 DonatasFanboy, Jun 29, 2013
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baller4life315 said: ↑

I understand why a player would desire a long-term deal, but $10M certainly is a lot of money to leave on the table!
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especially at this point in his career. he may not get $10 million on his next contract. He seems like a pretty decent player though, plays D, blocks shots, but doesn't provide much offense. We already have that in Asik.

#5 Chamillionaire, Jun 29, 2013
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that's kind of stupid. Does he not know Kahn isn't a GM anymore?

#6 BigBird, Jun 29, 2013
thisiscaketown Member

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He would probably flourish as a SF/PF 6th man. Placing him at Small Forward really wastes his ability, since he plays better at Power Forward and he isn't a great 3-Point shooter.

#7 thisiscaketown, Jun 29, 2013

bullardfan なんでやねん

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He's probably going to the Heat along with CP3 and Dwight.

#8 bullardfan, Jun 29, 2013
REEKO_HTOWN I'm Rich Biiiiaaatch!

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What an idiot.

#9 REEKO_HTOWN, Jun 29, 2013
napalm06 Huge Flopping Fan

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Another chairman of the board of flopping.

#10 napalm06, Jun 29, 2013
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AroundTheWorld said: ↑

Obligatory:

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Classic.

#11 Classic, Jun 29, 2013
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& aturd-45 sounding like Bonzi Wells these days

Congrats

#12 Classic, Jun 29, 2013
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I think its a decent decision. The key is he played well and had to capitalize on that showing now. Instead of taking a chance at regressing badly being on the wrong side of 30, or getting injured and maybe getting nothing afterward.

Hypotheticals
-Its opt out and take possibly a 4 yr/8 mil per deal at 32 mil total
-Or take the 10 mil, then only maybe get an MLE after or 3 yr/6 mil per 18 mil deal for a total of 28 mil.
-He can add maybe 4-5 more total mil over next 4 seasons opting out now.

(Though there figures to be plenty teams with cap room NEXT season as well for Lebron luring/Andrew Wiggins tanking) Or it can be his chance to play with a contender. But this looks like a long-term money move

#13 Shroopy2, Jun 29, 2013

REEKO_HTOWN I'm Rich Biiiiaaatch!

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I'd like to see the team stupid enough to give a 32 year old role player more than $7 million a year for more than a year

#14 REEKO_HTOWN, Jun 29, 2013
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I actually see him and Chandler kinda equal, I'd put Batum up in this group also. Stat sheet stuffers. Wouldn't surprise me to see Chandler get a 5x5.

#15 HOUSTONJS, Jun 30, 2013
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HOUSTONJS said: ↑

I actually see him and Chandler kinda equal, I'd put Batum up in this group also. Stat sheet stuffers. Wouldn't surprise me to see Chandler get a 5x5.
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Kirilenko would be an incredible PF. If he decided to go ring hunting when Howard inevitably signs the Houston offer sheet I would consider the Rockets the favourites to make it out West.

#16 charles_zed, Jun 30, 2013
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I like Kirilenko!

#17 amazingskills, Jun 30, 2013
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charles_zed said: ↑

Kirilenko would be an incredible PF. If he decided to go ring hunting when Howard inevitably signs the Houston offer sheet I would consider the Rockets the favourites to make it out West.
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Sure

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/ulbaqB7eHqg" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

#18 redwhiteone, Jun 30, 2013

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SFs will get overpaid this free agency. A position of need for many teams but only a very few good ones available.

#19 hooroo, Jun 30, 2013
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Do not want!

#20 OTMax, Jun 30, 2013

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