| Andrei Kirilenko is headed back to the NBA. (Getty Images) |
Sportando reports via Rsport.ru that Andrei Kirilenko has decided to return to the NBA.
After one season in Russia, Andrei Kirilenko officially confirmed his return to the NBA. 'I have talked with Andrei Vatutin, president of CSKA Moscow and I have decided to return to the NBA. After such a great season I had with CSKA Moscow I showed that I can play at highest levels. I will continue my career in the NBA' said Kirilenko.
via Andrei Kirilenko: 'I will continue my career in NBA' | NBA | Sportando.
With Kirilenko headed back to the NBA after spending last season in Russia following signing in his native country during the lockout, there will be several suitors. Early on, the Nets were reported as a candidate to snag the versatile forward, but Yahoo Sports reports that dream is dead and that the Timberwolves' cap-clearing moves over the past two days have been aimed at making room to provide Kirilenko with the kind of hefty offer he's looking for.
Kirilenko has a buyout in his CSKA of Moscow contract that allows him to return to the NBA. He ruled out the Brooklyn Nets and Russian billionaire owner Mikhail Prokhorov on Tuesday because the Nets simply couldn’t pay him beyond the veteran’s minimum of $1.2 million, sources said. Kirilenko has been searching for a deal that would pay him in the vicinity of $8 million annually, and Minnesota could have the cap space to do so.
via Three-team trade could lead to T'wolves signing Andrei Kirilenko - Yahoo! Sports.
That's a pretty big price for a player who slid his final two years in the NBA and turns 32 next season. But the Wolves would have a strong set of versatile forwards at a position they've needed help at for years and Kirlenko's skills would fit well into Rick Adelman's system. The length of the deal should be the sticking point and as long as the Wolves don't go hog wild, it would be a great pickup.
Either way, it looks like Kirilenko will be returning to the NBA next season.