Utah Jazz: Teams involved in 'serious discussions' regarding possible Kirilenko trade

SALT LAKE CITY — Whether Andrei Kirilenko stays in Utah or plays in Denver this season apparently teeters on "The Decision: Part II."

A league source confirmed to the Deseret News on Friday that "serious discussions" were ongoing to pull off a widely reported four-team trade, which would include the Jazz shipping AK-47 to the Nuggets and Utah receiving Charlotte forward Boris Diaw and New Jersey swingman Quinton Ross.

Per the source and multiple reports, the blockbuster hinges on Carmelo Anthony's decision to be traded from the Nuggets to the Nets.

As of late Friday night, nothing had been finalized, and CBSSports.com reported that two NBA executives "dismissed" a New York Daily News report claiming Anthony had indeed accepted his trade.

If the star small forward concedes to be dealt to New Jersey instead of New York, his reported preference, and Melo agrees to accept a max three-year contract extension with the Nets, the source believes all of "it goes through."

The deal, first reported Friday by ESPN.com, would send the trade-demanding Anthony to New Jersey; with Kirilenko, Nets rookie Derrick Favors and multiple first-round picks going to Denver; N.J.'s Devin Harris heading to Charlotte; and Utah receiving Diaw, Ross and luxury-tax relief. Multiple reports also listed New Jersey's Jarvis Hayes and Charlotte's DJ Augustin as being potential pieces in the deal.

Jazz general manager Kevin O'Connor responded with a "no comment" when asked about the possible blockbuster that would send a longtime Utah player he's spoken highly of this offseason to a Northwest Division rival.

Jazz CEO Greg Miller did not immediately respond to an interview request Friday night. The news of the reported trade talk came as a surprise to the Kirilenko camp. Friday evening, Kirilenko texted KSL-TV's Tom Kirkland and told him, "I'll be in Utah Sunday and have no idea about a trade." He also said he wants to stay in Utah.

Earlier Friday, agent Marc Fleisher said he hadn't heard of the alleged player swap, either.

A source told ESPN the four teams were "seriously engaged" in discussing the deal on Thursday and Friday.

"I know nothing about it," Fleisher told the Deseret News. "There's no way for me to respond. So I don't know if there's any truth to it."