Timberwolves sign ex-Jazz standout Andrei Kirilenko

By Dave Campbell

Associated Press

Published: Friday, July 27 2012 12:19 p.m. MDT

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Jazz forward Andrei Kirilenko talks to media after practice in Salt Lake City in 2011.

Tom Smart, Deseret News

Summary

The Minnesota Timberwolves have signed free agent Andrei Kirilenko, bringing the versatile forward back to the NBA after a one-season absence.

MANKATO, Minn. — The Minnesota Timberwolves have signed free agent Andrei Kirilenko, bringing the versatile forward back to the NBA after a one-season absence.

The contract was completed Friday as soon as the Wolves consummated their three-team trade with New Orleans and Phoenix to clear space under the salary cap for Kirilenko.

The 31-year-old Kirilenko is currently playing with the Russian national team at the Summer Olympics in London. He played 10 years for the Utah Jazz, averaging 12.4 points and 5.6 rebounds per game, but spent the 2011-12 season with the CKSA Moscow club. He won the Most Valuable Player and Best Defender awards in the Euroleague.

Kirilenko says he's eager to play for head coach Rick Adelman and that feels his game "fits in well with his style of play."

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Little Andy

Tremonton, UT

AK is not worth ten million a year. But then neither is signing Brandon Roy who the Blazers released for medical reasons. Wolves have not played it very smart..

5:35 p.m. July 27, 2012
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WHAT NOW?

Saint George, UT

AK will be sending $9,000,000 back to the Jazz each year as partial repayment of the compensation he failed to earn during his sojourn with the Jazz.

11:44 a.m. July 28, 2012
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John Wicks

Salt Lake City, UT

AK will play maybe 30 games then quit and go on the injured list for the rest of the year.

4:18 p.m. Sept. 5, 2012
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