AK-47 up for grabs?

Could Utah Trade Kirilenko?
Aug 12, 2008 5:07 PM EST

A recurring rumor involving the Jazz trading versatile forward Andrei Kirilenko has been popping up in Utah once again, according to The Salt Lake Tribune.

Kirilenko has three years and almost $50 million remaining on his contract with the Jazz, which makes him somewhat difficult to trade.

With Carlos Boozer possessing the ability to opt out of his contract next summer, possibly to sign a long-term deal with the Jazz, the team could look to trim some salary to order to prepare a lucrative offer for the former Duke big man.

Trading Kirilenko, could help them accomplish that

link: http://www.sltrib.com/jazz/ci_10166712

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Who in their right mind would want to take on over 16 mil a year for the next three years for him? Not only is he not worth that god-awful contract (he's making more than Gilber Arenas over the next three years) but this contract sucks up cap-space for the 2010 free-agent boom. With all the "better" players that would be available and could be paid 17 mil a year...why on God's green earth would someone even think about trading for him? It's not like Utah has great draft picks to throw in the deal....Why even bother annoucing that?

 

Eeeew....no thanks.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (tim @ Aug 13 2008, 03:53 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Eeeew....no thanks.</div>


I know, right? Who would be stupid enough to pay someone over 16 mil a year over the next three years for a player whom over the last two years averaged under 5 RPG (4.7), under 4 APG (3.5) and less than 10 PPG (9.5)....all this in 30 minutes a game...so it's not like he wasn't getting a chance to play.

I really don't think and extra block a game is worth throwing away that amount of money for the next three years and taking 17 mil outta your pocket for the free-agent class of 2010...

...I will however, have some of whatever their smoking...it's gotta be some crucial stuff

 

Stats aren't everything man, Kirilenko is still a great player, just Sloan is too stupid to use him right. Kirilenko could put up better #'s than Josh Smith or Shawn Marion if he was on an uptempo team and had a bigger role in the offense. Kirilenko has great playmaking/passing skills that are overlooked and he's a big reason their offense is good. Utah also has one of the best rebounding units in the league and Kirilenko is a big reason they get the rebounding opportunties because he usually guards one of the other team's better scorers or he's alter a shot. IMO AK's natural position is PF and if he was on an uptempo team, not as many ppl would really argue as hard he's overpaid. Not everyone is gonna be in the running for the big free agents in 2010, and pretty soon some of those guys are destined to resign for max's or near max.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (J_Ray @ Aug 13 2008, 05:43 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Stats aren't everything man, Kirilenko is still a great player, just Sloan is too stupid to use him right. Kirilenko could put up better #'s than Josh Smith or Shawn Marion if he was on an uptempo team and had a bigger role in the offense. Kirilenko has great playmaking/passing skills that are overlooked and he's a big reason their offense is good. Utah also has one of the best rebounding units in the league and Kirilenko is a big reason they get the rebounding opportunties because he usually guards one of the other team's better scorers or he's alter a shot. IMO AK's natural position is PF and if he was on an uptempo team, not as many ppl would really argue as hard he's overpaid. Not everyone is gonna be in the running for the big free agents in 2010, and pretty soon some of those guys are destined to resign for max's or near max.</div>

So are saying that AK-47 is worth what he's being paid? I'm not saying he's not a good player (I wouldn't go as far as saying great), but worth 16-17 mil a year for the next three years? I can't go along with that. That's like saying you'd be comfortable paying him the same amount as LeBron, Ming, Baron, P. Gasol, D.Wade, A. Jefferson, D. Howard, E. Brand, T. Parker, A. Stoudemire, C. Bosh & A. Jamison! All these players are making less money a year than AK-47...and that's only naming some more familure names. And some of these players will be available while AK is still in the final year of his contract. There are plenty of players I would much rather have at his price that will be available.

Now if the situation were different and his contract was up by 2010...I would consider him a sound investment. Since he could be let go if he wanted too much, if his play improved or was willing to renegotiate his contract in order to add another piece.

You mention alot of good points that don't show up on stat sheets...but glue guys that hustle are not the ones that warrant getting 16+mil a year, the price that is being paid for consumate All-Stars or players that demand double teams.

I'm just saying I don't see many teams willing to jump at an opportunity to get a player who doesn't always hustle, messes with team chemistry (saying you want to be traded just because your not getting the minutes you feel you deserve, is messing with team chemistry) and will drain the teams cap space through what will be a great free-agent class, is worth having to deal with. I just think there are much better options, both finacially and chemistry wise.