Brooklyn Nets Interested in Andrei Kirilenko

There’s interest from the Nets regarding Andrei Kirilenko, but one major stumbling block is money. Per the NY Post: “In an interview on Fox Sports Radio Saturday, King said the Nets have been talking with Kirilenko, who is preparing to play with the Russian National Team in the Olympics after starring last season for Russia’s top club team, CSKA Moscow. ‘He still can play,’ King said. ‘He would be a great piece to add to us, and give us more depth at the forward spot.’ But a source downplayed the Nets’ chances of signing the versatile forward, saying they would be ‘surprised’ if Kirilenko chose to play in Brooklyn next season. The biggest thing working against the Nets is what they are able to pay him. Because they are now well over the salary cap and have used their ‘mini’ mid-level exception to sign Bosnian power forward Mirza Teletovic, the Nets only can offer Kirilenko the veteran’s minimum. Kirilenko’s contract with CSKA, which he signed during the lockout, was a three-year deal that pays him $4 million a year, with the option to leave for the NBA each summer if he chooses to do so. This isn’t the first time Kirilenko’s name has been linked to joining the Nets in the past several months. Long considered on of the NBA’s most versatile players, the 6-foot-9 forward had a terrific season for CSKA, averaging 14.1 points, 7.5 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 1.5 steals and 1.9 blocks in 17 games in the Euroleague. CSKA eventually were upset in the Euroleague Final in Istanbul, losing to Greek power Panathinaikos with King, Deron Williams and Nets owner Mikhail Prokhorov all watching the game in person.”