Andrei Kirilenko reportedly negotiating return to Russia

[Stifle Tower]

Agreed. I don't like AK's reliability issues any more than the biggest AK haters, but no one ever thinks about who we would throw in there to replace him with. Hayward will need to fill the role, let's just hope Starcraft takes a back seat when the spotlight hits him.

Don't forget about CJ. Miles has started at both the 2 and 3. The wisest move, IMO, is to let CJ, Hayward and possibly Millsap play the 3. Then you evaluate the team near the trade deadline. Are Kanter and Favors ready to start? Has Hayward developed into a quality starter? And if so, at the 2 or the 3? What about Burks...will he be a starter or a 6th man?

You also look at the standings. Does it appear Utah has a legit chance at the playoffs - and will thereby lose their pick? How about GS? Does it look like they'll be giving up their pick to Utah? There are then several options to pursue: trading the expiring deals of Okur and CJ. Shopping Millsap or Jefferson. Or just expecting that either our own or the GS pick will result in a SF.

In any case, I don't think trying to re-sign AK - at any price - is the way to go. He's not going to improve. He'll still have consistency and injury concerns.

 

[cctrackstar]

Does it appear Utah has a legit chance at the playoffs - and will thereby lose their pick?

The sooner we lose that pick the better, because it means that not only are we in the playoffs, but it will be a lower pick. (not as big of a hit). Besides, do we need more young mid to late first round players on the team? How many first second and third year players do we really want on the team at the same time?

I actually wanted them to loose that pick this draft because it was such a weak draft. Fortunately I think they may have got a sleeper that should have been taken top 8 or better.

As for the golden state pick, all I can say is 'Rah Rah Mark Jackson, you may have pushed Stockton away, but you can still redeem yourself by being JUST better than the sixth pick'. We need to get the pick this year or I think it becomes two second round picks. BOO.

 

[Lakers_Slapper]

Wow, Its amazing how many AK haters there are in the off season, and the second AK starts firing on all cylinders, everybody loves him. He has weaknesses like everbody else, but he also has a lot of strengths- He is an excellent defender and often get injured because he has the balls to attack. A lot of players in the NBA lack this nowa days. Its almost like the fans just want to see a team with nothing but offense, but we all know that its defense that wins games. I dont see why the Jazz or any team for that matter would want to let this guy go to Russia. He can bring experience and defense to our team that our younger players need to see. Besides the second that AK goes and we have a guy to fill his spot, yall are gonna start hatin' on him just as much. So you might as well be hatin' on a player that knows the Jazz system; was there in 2003 to help our team have a good season (when we were predicted to be a 20 win team); isnt afraid to back down defensively; and plays with his heart all the time (in a slump or not). Hate on AK, but we can get him for cheap $$$ and he brings great defensive talent.

 

[cctrackstar]

Hate on AK, but we can get him for cheap $$$ and he brings great defensive talent.

You do remember that he just got through making 17.000.000$ or so last year, right? How much of a pay cut is he willing to take? If he goes back to Russia he can claim that he is returning to the homeland, but if he takes a contract for like 5 mil with the Jazz, he'd be pretty much admitting that he was grossly overpaid before. Hard to take.

 

[Stifle Tower]

Wow, Its amazing how many AK haters there are in the off season, and the second AK starts firing on all cylinders, everybody loves him. He has weaknesses like everbody else, but he also has a lot of strengths- He is an excellent defender and often get injured because he has the balls to attack. A lot of players in the NBA lack this nowa days. Its almost like the fans just want to see a team with nothing but offense, but we all know that its defense that wins games. I dont see why the Jazz or any team for that matter would want to let this guy go to Russia. He can bring experience and defense to our team that our younger players need to see. Besides the second that AK goes and we have a guy to fill his spot, yall are gonna start hatin' on him just as much. So you might as well be hatin' on a player that knows the Jazz system; was there in 2003 to help our team have a good season (when we were predicted to be a 20 win team); isnt afraid to back down defensively; and plays with his heart all the time (in a slump or not). Hate on AK, but we can get him for cheap $$$ and he brings great defensive talent.

Where to start...

1. ...the second AK starts firing on all cylinders, everybody loves him.
And that's about what, 1 in 10 games? Rarely is he a contributor on both ends of the court. The guy has ONE offensive move...drive the middle of the lane, throw the ball wildly in the air, flail his arms like a wounded octopus, and hope a foul is called.

2. He is an excellent defender and often get injured because he has the balls to attack.
Um, no. AK plays (used to play) pretty good help defense. He is a terrible one-on-one defender. You can beat him off the dribble or get him to bite on a fake and then hit the step back J. He used to have the quickness to recover and get a few blocks when beaten - or get them by helping out. He doesn't have that same quickness any more.

AS for the injuries, face it...he's frail. We called out Boozer because he took forever to recover. AK is - dare I say - even worse. Any sprain, strain, or muscle pull has him out 2 weeks.

3. ...was there in 2003 to help our team have a good season.
Eight years ago. You really want to hang your hat on a guy whose best season was EIGHT years ago? In that case, let's go after Shaq at the 5, bring in Michael Redd as our SG and Stephon Marbury at PG. Title guaranteed!

4. Hate on AK, but we can get him for cheap $$$.
Are you AK's agent? Would you like to tell us how much he wants and for how many years? And please keep in mind that will be for about 60 games...if the JAzz are lucky...and about 10 games (if we're lucky) where he plays hard or has an impact on both ends of the court.

AK HAD - and that's the operative word - HAD, as in PAST TENSE - the potential to be a TOP 10, maybe even a TOP 5 player in the league. His skills were as unique at his position as Dirk's are at PF or Lebron's at his. But after signing his deal, AK stopped improving. He choose to play internet games and read Russian novels instead of working on his shooting and overall game and conditioning and strength.

Personally, I wouldn't care if he came back for $1M. Giving him minutes just delays the progress of Hayward and Burks, or decreases the trade value of CJ. Those three should split the 96 mins. at the wing positions. Miles and Hayward can both play the 2 or 3. At the deadline, the Jazz can probably get a mid-first for Miles, just like they did with Brewer - or use his expiring contract in a trade.

 

[silesian]

The problem with Andre is that he'll go play in Russia for 4 million or whatever, but an American team would probably have to double that.

No NBA team will offer AK more than $5MM/yr.

 

[just because]

I agree with Glass Eater, we need to develop the younger guys. I have loved to watch AK play over the years. His game was a joy to watch. Key word, "was".

 

[just because]

And we need to remember (like it or not) that we still have Bell under contract. He will get minutes at the 2 and 3. Unfortunately no room for AK.