RealGM

Jazz Unlikely To Trade Kirilenko

Oct 23, 2010 5:00 PM EST

The Jazz have a significant trade chip in Andrei Kirilenko's $17.8 million expiring contract, but they appear unlikely to move it.

Other teams might show interest in Kirilenko's contract, but Utah general manager Kevin O'Connor likes continuity.

"The way Andrei has played for us in the past and the way he played in the preseason, he's a real key to our team," O'Connor said. "He really competes."

Last season the Jazz had the expiring contract of Carlos Boozer, but they opted to hold onto him.

Via Salt Lake Tribune

Read more: http://basketball.realgm.com/src_wireta ... z13DbQvtYd

That's great news imo. He's looking good right now. If AK stays healthy he's an X factor that could help the team tremendously imo, and after the Diaw/Melo rumour I was kind of worried his name would pop up in another deal sooner or later.

It's good to hear but I won't believe it until I see it. I've been saying that AK is one of the most important pieces on this team for a while now but I'm still not convinced that KoC and the rest of the front office don't value saving money more than what he brings to this team.

UTJazzFan_Echo1 wrote:It's good to hear but I won't believe it until I see it.

Exactly...... Let's see if he lasts the season....... Last year we got all excited over Maynor, and we all remember how that ended up.......

I would trade him IF it wouldn't affect our chances of resigning him, but I think it would. If we could help ourselves in a way where we come out on top like with Boozer/AJ, then I'm open to it, but AK has become one of my favorite players for the Jazz, and he's VERY valuable to this franchise and I feel he's coming around again. It's never to late to turn the corner in your career, look at Nash. While I'm not saying he'll become a top 10 or MVP kind of player, I'd like to keep him as he continues to recover his confidence.

I have a sentimental attachment to AK, his attitude has improved dramatically, and his versatile skill set is an enormous asset (a guy who can legitimately play four positions is pretty damn rare). I'd understand the "it's just a business" angle if they did a deal to cut salary, but from a basketball and fan standpoint, I can't see who we'd bring back for AK that would give us more than he can when healthy.

I hope AK lasts the year, stays healthy, and finishes his career in Salt Lake.

I love AK, and I would love to see him stick around.

However, a month ago the Jazz were ready to trade him to a division rival for $.70 on the dollar. Forgive me for feeling like AK's odds of staying in SLC are 50/50 at best.

I too think this a good thing. People always ask what happened to Kirilinko, and I have long thought that the devrease in his effectiveness directly correlated with Boozer and Williams being on the team. It put Kirilinko in a situation where he doesn't handle the ball as much and he isn't close enough to the basket to get blocks. Additionally the lane became more crowded and he couldn't do garbageman stuff as well. It was for the best for the team, but I definitely think it came at a cost to Kirilinko. I don't think its an accident that all of Kirilinkos best games in the last few years have been when either Williams was hurt so he could handle the ball more or Boozer was hurt so he could roam more. Jefferson's ability to hold the ball and draw the doubleteam as well as play the center position is going to be a real boon for Kirilinko this year. Given that and it being a contract year I wouldn't be surprised if this is his best season since his all-star year.

I think playing with Raja calms AK47. You can tell he likes being on the floor with him.

Hikari wrote:I think playing with Raja calms AK47. You can tell he likes being on the floor with him.

I've been noticing that too. They seem to really enjoy playing with each other. And they've been great when together on the floor.