Report: Andrei Kirilenko opts in for 2014-2015 with Nets
Russian forward decides to stay with Brooklyn at $3.3 million.
By
Matt Moore
•
1 min read
More Offseason Analysis: Coaching changes, news | Free Agency | Draft | Rumors
NBA.com reports that Nets forward Andrie Kirilenko has elected to excercise his option for 2014-2015 to remain with Brooklyn.
Andrei Kirilenko opts in with Brooklyn for next season at $3.3M, per source. Second year of two-year deal worth $6.5M.
— David Aldridge (@daldridgetnt) June 23, 2014
Can confirm the report from @daldridgetnt that Andrei Kirilenko is opting in to the second year of his contract with the #Nets.
— Tim Bontemps (@TimBontemps) June 23, 2014
The move is a bit surprising from a play perspective. Kirilenko was scarcely used by coach Jason Kidd last year after returning from injury, even to the point of avoiding playing him when the Nets were desperate for bench help in the playoffs. Kirilenko was reportedly unhappy with the situation. But the $3.3 million for a player who will be 33 next year isn't bad, either.
Kirilenko averaged 5 points and 3.2 rebounds for the Nets last year in 19 minutes per game. The free agency crop outside of the top tier (LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony, etc.) is relatively weak, but for whatever reason, be it his allegiance to Russian owner Mikhail Prokhorov or the hope that a healthy season will enable him to earn more playing time, Kirilenko will be back in black and white next year.
