From Deseret News archives:
Utah Jazz: Kirilenko to Russia? Agent denies rumor
Jazz forward still under contract through 2011
But, despite rumors about the Jazz forward's future that are being bandied about on the Internet and on local sports-talk radio, don't count on AK-47 shooting off to Russia anytime soon.
"There's no question that they would love to have him," agent Marc Fleisher said of CSKA. "But to my knowledge, they haven't made any efforts this summer at least through me to get him, so I don't take it (the rumor) very seriously."
A report surfaced this week on Russian Web site krepsinis.net, claiming CSKA wants to offer Kirilenko an NBA-like lucrative contract, similar to the rumor that surfaced recently about the team's hopes of enticing guard Ben Gordon to bolt from Chicago for Russia. It was even speculated that AK-47 might not have "renewed with the Utah Jazz yet" because of this possible offer. A roughly translated portion of the article later appeared on thehoop.blogspot.com, and spread from there.
Fleisher isn't aware of any conversations between CSKA and Russia's favorite hoops son, but said it's possible the club might have approached him "off the record." Regardless, he insists it definitely "hasn't gone anywhere."
"I'm not aware that they did that and they certainly have not come to me," he said, "so I think it's a non-issue."
Even if the Jazz's versatile forward wanted to head to Europe, another major roadblock stands in the way of Kirilenko potentially returning to play pro ball in Russia for the next three seasons. The NBA and FIBA, basketball's international governing body, have a deal that doesn't allow players to ditch their deals to play across the ocean.
"As long as a player is under contract with an NBA team, he can't sign a contract to play in Europe (and vice-versa)," Fleisher said, adding that the rule doesn't prohibit contract buyouts.
Kirilenko has been traveling around Europe since the Beijing Olympics, so Fleisher hasn't spoken with him recently. But he said Kirilenko has a good attitude about the upcoming Jazz season and that concerns the forward had last summer have long been resolved.
"During the season, he expressed to me he was satisfied the way things were going," the agent said.
After a rough 2006-07 campaign and some offseason grumbling, Kirilenko recorded a career-best shooting year last season while averaging 11.0 points.
E-mail: jody@desnews.com
Recent comments
Re: LoPorto, did you forget SA had a center named Robinson? How about...
Hollywood | Sept. 25, 2008 at 11:09 a.m.
To the comment about Putin's decree...that was pretty racist and you...
Justin | Sept. 21, 2008 at 2:43 a.m.
AK is so unbelievably out of here after his contract that it is...
Bye bye, AK | Sept. 20, 2008 at 9:55 p.m.
- Atheist groups flourish on campuses 10:37 a.m.
- Griffin edges Ortiz in split decision 10:26 a.m.
- China mine disaster recounted 10:02 a.m.
- VMI faces sexism accusations 9:56 a.m.
- Mubarak warns Israel over Jerusalem 9:39 a.m.
- 65 leaders set for climate summit 9:36 a.m.
- Nevada grabs rushing records 9:34 a.m.
- RSL will play for MLS Cup tonight 3:06 a.m.
- Jazz outlast Pistons in overtime 3:06 a.m.
- Utah Utes whip SDSU 3:05 a.m.
- Glenn Beck to enter politics?
- BYU records with win
- Police link alcohol to murder
- Jazz outlast Pistons in overtime
- Utah Utes whip SDSU
- Cougars turn focus to dreaded rivals
- Former BYU professor remembered
- Can BYU throw vs. Air Force?
- Y. coach Hill up for Portland State job
- Christian leaders not backing down
- Buttars wants to limit gay rights laws
193 - Palin plans tour stop in Utah
173 - Glenn Beck to enter politics?
157 - Palin's book shows she's unqualified
122 - BYU records with win
110 - Officer cleared in Cardall Taser case
103 - BYU cuts Women's Research Inst.
100 - Jazz finally win in San Antonio
98 - Utes knock off rival Aggies
93 - Huntsman pleased with Obama
87
Real Salt Lake fans have watched first hand the evolution of Jason Kreis...
Shanme on you PETA flakes. You are putting and the rats ahead of the good and...
Maybe the UofU is in rebuilding this team again, they just don't look as...
A wonderful event! Is the Timpview High School in Provo? We live near Provo's...
Today we add a major league title to our state!
A difference between soccer and hoops is that in basketball, if you've got...
Re: From what I've seen According to the BBC News, handgun crime in the...
Lest we forget! There are some of us left who still remember. We need...
why there are so many negitive comments on this board from ute fans about...
Out of all of the AAF WWII training bases, Wendover has the greatest...
Anyone who has been a fan of college football since before 2008 knows that...

