https://www.netsdaily.com/2012/7/5/3139423/kirllenko-staying-in-russia
If Kirilenko is (only) getting $3m next season if he stays in Russia, it is 99% worth the risk to re-sign him for part of the mid-level exception. Utah could offer him $3.5m on a 2+option deal and he is still making more than if he were playing in Russia. Utah is as much his home as Russia is and for what he can do on the court he is worth way more than that. If the only thing keeping them from that type of deal with AK is Greg Miller's feeling that AK never delivered on his max deal because of injuries and emotions, while that is true, this bargain proce for that level of talent would make up for it. AK and a shooting guard for the remaining $2+million (Courtney Lee, Jerryd Bayless, Shannon Brown, Gerald Green, Randy Foye, Jodie Meeks, Sam Young, Nick Young) would make this a strong team.