Andrei Kirilenko - Realistic Target?

[snively]

Andrei Kirilenko has been in Utah so long that I didn't even realize he was a free agent until last week when I was browsing Shamsports.  Setting aside for a moment the feasibility of attaining him, I'm hard-pressed to think of a more suitable free agent for our needs.

With KG and JO likely to be on fairly strict minute limitations next season (I'm guessing they'll be combining for about 50mpg), we definitely need someone who can absorb frontcourt minutes. Taking into account the frontcourt composition of our nearest rivals (Bosh/Anthony, Boozer/Noah, Smith/Horford, Amare/Turiaf), other than Orlando, I think it's reasonable to slot many, if not most, of KG's minutes at the 5 spot.  Assuming Baby's departure, that leaves upwards of 30mpg at the 4 (I'm assuming Doc won't try JO at the 4).  Who better to occupy those 30 minutes than KG's pale imitation, AK-47? 

His combination of length, speed and team defensive prowess would help sustain our defensive strong suits (smothering pick and roll coverage, swift rotations).  Even better, his offensive strengths at the 4 (good slasher, foul drawer, excellent passer, unselfish, good finisher, decent jumper, great speed in the open court)  would add a much needed efficient 4th option between the Big 3 and Rondo.  Finally, at 30, he's young enough to merit a multi-year deal (4 years?) to play with Rondo post-2011.

As for the feasibility of attaining him, I'm hoping the vast amount of money he earned in Utah will have him valuing contention & stability in addition to raw compensation.

Danny has historically aimed high in free agency, so I can definitely see him aggressively pursuing Kirilenko.  Wyc, too, seems to enjoy pursuing high-profile free agents.

I remember them pursuing Corey Maggette (then 28 and fresh off averaging 22ppg for the Clippers) with nothing but the MLE, only to get outbid by the Warriors' $10 mil per offer.

I can see us having a slightly better chance with Kirilenko.  Unlike Maggette, who was looking for his first double-digit-per-annum contract, Kirilenko's already made over $90 mil.  His pedestrian scoring numbers and age might also depress his value. 

I'm not sure we'd face significant hometown competition, either. With Utah likely facing a multi-year incubation period for the young core of Favors, Hayward and whoever they pick at #3, and already locked into sizable money for youngish vets Harris, Big Al and Milsap (and the hobbled Okur), how generous is their offer going to be to the 30-year-old Kirilenko?

Nor are other contenders likely to line-up for his services (most have plenty of options at the 3/4). 

What do you think? Is it realistic, is it desirable?
   

[CelticG1]

I really wanted him back in the day when he was posting some pretty nice seasons. He definitely is a poor mans KG but at the time he seemed like a great pick up for us.

I didn't know he was a free agent either but I'd love to pick him up. I just don't see how we can commit the years to him though. 4 years at the MLE seems pretty ballsy to me. As much as I'd love to have him on the team I just don't know if thats the right move.

[greenpride32]

AK47 is still only 30 years old.  I see him commanding much more than the MLE.  While his best days are behind him he's still a decently productive player.

[Lucky17]

I don't know if there is room in the rotation/roster for both Green and Kirilenko. A lot of redundancy there, no?

[Neurotic Guy]

Can someone who has watched AK over the past year or 2 weigh in on his present day effectiveness.  He's only 30, but I don't know if  he still plays defense and blocks shots with the same prowess he once did. Is he a shell of himself or still highly effective?

If he is anything like the old AK47, he'd look great in green.  But why would he choose Boston over the other mid-level options?  Miami, Chicago, LA, Dallas...  Also, I'd think Utah would rather explore an S&T than let him go for nothing.  How about Baby and a pick?   


 

[2short]

I think he's going to command a good contract from someone.
Not sure where he'd fit with pierce,green,kg.  guy can still play

[JBcat]

Can someone who has watched AK over the past year or 2 weigh in on his present day effectiveness.  He's only 30, but I don't know if  he still plays defense and blocks shots with the same prowess he once did. Is he a shell of himself or still highly effective?

If he is anything like the old AK47, he'd look great in green.  But why would he choose Boston over the other mid-level options?  Miami, Chicago, LA, Dallas...  Also, I'd think Utah would rather explore an S&T than let him go for nothing.  How about Baby and a pick?   


 

I would consider a S&T with Baby and a pick while preserving our MLE for something else.  However AK and Green are somewhat redundant as someone else mentioned.   Maybe then trade Green if you went after AK. 

[snively]

If he is anything like the old AK47, he'd look great in green.  But why would he choose Boston over the other mid-level options?  Miami, Chicago, LA, Dallas...   

Minutes.  Boston would have a big role for him.

Miami has LBJ, Miller, Bosh and Haslem at the 3 & 4, not a big need for them, very few minutes to be had.

Chicago has Deng, Brewer, Gibson, Boozer, Noah... and a huge hole at the 2-guard.  Can't see them going after AK. 

Dallas already has Marion.  Kirilenko wouldn't add anything Marion doesn't already give them.  I see them focusing on their own free agents and/or pursuing another scorer to help Dirk. 

It's hard to see LA investing more in their stacked frontcourt when Derek Fisher is their de facto starting PG.  Not to mention they're alreadly locked in to Artest.

[snively]

I don't know if there is room in the rotation/roster for both Green and Kirilenko. A lot of redundancy there, no?

I think Green could have a 20 mpg role here playing almost exclusively at the wing (that was pretty much his role with us this past season), with Kirilenko taking Glen Davis' 25-30mpg as the back-up 4 (Baby was only a 4/5 if you considered him a 5 when he played KG).  Certainly some overlap in skillsets, but that's not always a bad thing.
 Still, if Kirilenko was available and interested in joining, I'd probably look to move Jeff Green, either for a purer wing or a trade exception and a pick. 

[perks-a-beast]

Having both Green and Kirilenko coming off the bench is pointless. But with that being said, I Like Kirilenko alot more for this team. He's a proven defender, makes big shots and i think he'd be a better fit in our defensive scheme.

Maybe sign Kirilenko to the MLE and look to trade Jeff Green for a scorer or another center?

[Roy H.]

He definitely is a poor mans KG ...

If KG was a mentally-weak crybaby who refused to work on his game and was always the first guy out of the gym that didn't get along with coaches or teammates.

Kirilenko has a lot of great tools, but I think his best days are behind him.  I just can't forgive him for the crying, or the whining, or the laziness.  For about two seasons, he was truly a unique talent.  Now, he's just a role player.

[PosImpos]

Realistic?  No.

I think it's pretty likely he heads to Europe for a year or two, actually, given the looming lockout.

He's gonna hold out for somebody to give him too much money.  Somebody will.  Don't be surprised if the Nets throw money at him, since they have Prokhorov.

[cornbreadsmart]

Bad teammate. Whiny baby crying cuz he can't help his team.. by getting minutes,shots,etc.Very un-celtic like guy.I'd almost rather have Rusy Fernandez.... ALMOST.

[Who]

Limited interest. Not convinced Doc will give him enough minutes at PF to make it worthwhile. I would be expecting half of AK's minutes at SF and half at PF while playing around 26-27 minutes a night.

I would rather go after a prototypical big man like Kenyon Martin or Carl Landry instead. Plus, keep Jeff Green. If offering multi-year deals.

[snively]

Limited interest. Not convinced Doc will give him enough minutes at PF to make it worthwhile. I would be expecting half of AK's minutes at SF and half at PF while playing around 26-27 minutes a night.

I would rather go after a prototypical big man like Kenyon Martin or Carl Landry instead. Plus, keep Jeff Green. If offering multi-year deals.

Wouldn't Doc play him wherever the need is? With Krstic and Baby likely departing, the gaping hole is in the frontcourt.  If Kirilenko was our main free agent acquisition, I don't think Doc would have much choice but to play him at the 4.

My problem with Kenyon Martin is his age and injury history.  A multi-year deal scares me.

Carl Landry would fit the team like a glove, as he could step right into the roles Doc was comfortable putting Powe and Baby in, and significantly upgrade our offensive capabilities.  I'd be very happy with him in Baby's role next season. 

I just feel AK is the better overall player.  More versatile on both ends. 

A Rondo/Ray/Pierce/AK/KG line-up is so dynamic on both sides of the court.  With West, Green and JO filling out the rest of the regular rotation, and Bradley, Wafer, our draft picks and a few free agent bigs in reserve.