Regarding a possible trade, the 2004 NBA All-Star was quoted as having said this: "Closer to the end of the season Utah general manager told me not to pay attention to the rumors and that possibility for a trade was insignificant. At the same time for a player whose production had dropped such possibility does exist, so I am ready for any change."

On Thursday, speaking during his weekly radio appearance on 1280-AM, even Miller acknowledged dealing Kirilenko — who has four years and about $63 million remaining on his current max-money contract — would be quite difficult.

"Today," he said, "he's virtually untradable because of his contract and his play.

Miller has several comments about Kirilenko, including some that potentially could devalue whatever market value he does have:

• "(Kirilenko) actually told me one time that his job is to go stand in the corner on the weakside ... outside the 3-point shot line, wait until the shot's up and run back down the court — not to go back inside and try to rebound. Now take a look at me: Do I have stupid written on my forehead?"

• "Maybe there's a translation problem here. I'll give him the benefit of the doubt, because I like him, and I think basically he's an honest guy. ... But some of the stuff that's coming out of his mouth reflects at least severe frustration, and maybe brain fade."

• "He's an 'all-the-money' player. Well, I look at the all-the-money players, and I see most of them playing every night. And I don't see him playing every night.

• "If he doesn't like it, I'm sorry, and I'll put my arm around him and tell him that I still love him. But he needs to grow up ... and I just hope he will."

Miller also said that even though "there is that risk" Sloan and Kirilenko won't see eye-to-eye next season, the Jazz are "definitely not going to give (Kirilenko) away," in part because "he's too good a talent."

Yet Miller did not rule out accepting an offer for Kirilenko, either, saying, "I don't want to hang it over his head as a threat, and I'll make clear that it's not a fire sale, but if there were a situation that was better for Andrei and better for us," the Jazz would consider it.

Miller indicated on-air that he realized his remarks might prompt teams to call the Jazz: "What will happen now ... is the vultures will start circling and people will start bargaining hunting."

O'Connor on Friday would not say how many teams, if any, had called.

But the Jazz basketball boss did say he's spoken with Kirilenko's agent, and no trade request or demand has been made.

"It hasn't been like, 'I demand this, or I want this.' That's not who we are, either," O'Connor said. "He's got a contract. (It's) our responsibility to make our team better, and hopefully Andrei makes himself better and makes us better next year, and I think he will."

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E-mail: tbuckley@desnews.com