Minnesota Timberwolves eyeing Andrei Kirilenko as they negotiate a three team trade – NBA News
The Minnesota Timberwolves are once again making moves in their pursuit of compiling a roster that is capable of reaching the playoffs next year. After the Wolves were unable to land Nicolas Batum, they have turned their attention
towards a veteran forward in Andrei Kirilenko.
Sources have confirmed that the Wolves are in talks with the Phoenix Suns and the New Orleans Hornets in a three team trade that will enable the Wolves to free up some cap space and sign Ak-47.
In the proposed deal, the Phoenix Suns are believed to be trading Robin Lopez and Hakim Warrick to the Hornets, and getting Wesley Johnson and a future first round draft pick from the Wolves. The Hornets are also reported to have
agreed upon trading Brad Miller to the Suns. It is however still unclear what the Wolves will get out of the deal.
New Orleans and Phoenix were in talks last week for a similar trade involving the Boston Celtics and Houston Rockets instead of the Wolves. However, the deal fell apart and it is then that the Wolves entered the negotiations.
The Brooklyn Nets are also reported to be pursuing Kirilenko, although they also do not have the cap space to sign him out rightly. Kirilenko was the team-mate of Nets point guard Deron Williams when the two used to play for the
Utah Jazz, and it is said that Williams is one of the main supporters of Kirilenko in the Nets camp. He is also part of the ongoing effort to recruit him.
Kirilenko played for CSKA Moscow last season, after playing 10 straight seasons for the Utah Jazz in the NBA. He is eyeing a return to the NBA next season, but still does not have a new home or team.
The Russian forward averaged 11.7 points, 5.1 rebounds and 3 assists per game in the 2010-2011 season with the Utah Jazz, and could be a valuable addition to the roster of any team, particularly in a reserve role.
The Euroleague MVP is excited about playing in the NBA once again and recently told Sport Express in Russia:
“I want to decide my new team before the Olympics. There are several options in the NBA, but the final choice has not been made yet.”
With the interest being shown by NBA teams and Kirilenko’s desire to have a new team before the Olympics, we may very well know his new destination in the coming days.
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