The Kirilenko Dilemma

[bsutefan]

So the real question for the Jazz is how do they get rid of Andrei Kirilenko?
There are 3 options to this shiver creating nightmare:
#1 – Let Kirilenko play out his contract, underperform, and cost the team millions of dollars in luxury tax.
Consequences of #1 – The Jazz are bound financially this year and next year. The Jazz make the playoffs but fail to earn home court advantage, and thus lose in the first round both years. Failure to make the second round of the playoffs will cost the Jazz an additional $1 Million in potential revenue for every playoff game they miss. Kirilenko is set to cry at least twice more after a game. Jerry Sloan will rip AK a third A-hole for trying to do too much outside the offense, 2 vacations will be planned during the last week of the season for the second round of the playoffs, and Kirilenko will never be happier despite his team being very mediocre.
#2 – Trade Kirilenko this year for cap relief this year.
Consequences of #2 – Though still facing luxury tax issues from returning contracts, relief from Kirilenko’s contract one year in advance would be very welcome. This would also allow the Jazz some flexibility in trading Carlos Boozer for a long-term high level player, rather than a role player with an expiring contract (see Joel Pryzbylla under “Expiring Role Player”). I believe this is the direction the Jazz would pursue if the Rip Hamilton for Carlos Boozer trade were to occur. Keep in mind the Jazz have a sure lottery pick next season from the Knicks, potentially in the top 5.
#3 – Keep Kirilenko this year, trade him next year when his contract is expiring for a high level player. The side piece here is to either trade Boozer now for cap relief, or let his contract expire.
Consequences of #3 - The positive side about this option is the Jazz would most definitely receive a very high quality player in return for Kirilenko’s expiring contract (an Emeka Okafor + expiring, or a sign and trade for one of the many free agents on the market like Joe Johnson or Michael Redd). The negative side about waiting to trade Kirilenko is we have to watch him all year. The Jazz also would face the major luxury tax problems this season still.
Kirilenko’s value will unquestionable increase significantly next season when he is set to expire. Would you be willing to sell your Zion’s bank stock for $12.00 per share right now knowing that next year the stock is going to be worth $20.00 per share? I believe Kirilenko’s value is set to increase by 50%-75% next season.
Again, the wildcard in this situation is the lottery pick the Jazz own next season, though you’ll never hear O’Connor mention that outside of Deron Williams, that is the most valuable asset the Jazz own.
Who knows, maybe we can trade his Masha’s “exception” clause. That would certainly net us more value than AK’s production at SF.

http://thesaltpalace.blogspot.com/

[HolyToledo]

AK-47's value increases if used correctly by the Jazz (Jerry "senile" Sloan). Play him 35-40 min per game at PF and run more as a team and AK-47 becomes an allstar player.

Unfortunately, Ak-47 not able to adjust his game to Sloan's system. See how AK-47 plays for the Russian team.

Fire or trade AK-47 at the allstar game.

[HouseofBoozer]

Sloan doesn't play him 35-40 minutes a game at the 4 because AK isn't a 4. AK's man defense against the likes of Gasol, Duncan, Nowitzki, etc.? Advantage... Other teams. AK CANNOT play the 4 for 82 games at 35-40 minutes a game. He did OK post Stockton to Malone, but not phenomenal. Boozer at the 4 >>>>>>> AK at the 4.

[HolyToledo]

Sloan doesn't play him 35-40 minutes a game at the 4 because AK isn't a 4. AK's man defense against the likes of Gasol, Duncan, Nowitzki, etc.? Advantage... Other teams. AK CANNOT play the 4 for 82 games at 35-40 minutes a game. He did OK post Stockton to Malone, but not phenomenal. Boozer at the 4 >>>>>>> AK at the 4.

Boozer can guard pf better tham AK-47? Dont make me laugh!!! Boozer worst defensive player in the league. AK-47 adding weight to play pf which he can do very well.

[outerspacefella]

I think it's not correct, not even fair, to compare Kirilenko's performances with his Russian team with those within the Jazz. I know (actually I follow it) euro basketball is darn professional and competitive, but in all reality you cannot even compare the games athetically and power wise.
Kirilenko plays better in Europe just because he fits better european kind of much more technical game, but it just doesn't traslate into the NBA because AK has not the bulk,the power game, the mental toughness or the sor of harsh character needed.
That's just the way it is.

[HouseofBoozer]

Sloan doesn't play him 35-40 minutes a game at the 4 because AK isn't a 4. AK's man defense against the likes of Gasol, Duncan, Nowitzki, etc.? Advantage... Other teams. AK CANNOT play the 4 for 82 games at 35-40 minutes a game. He did OK post Stockton to Malone, but not phenomenal. Boozer at the 4 >>>>>>> AK at the 4.

Boozer can guard pf better tham AK-47? Dont make me laugh!!! Boozer worst defensive player in the league. AK-47 adding weight to play pf which he can do very well.

Let me put it a little more plainer on the wall for you. Kirilenko's man defense would struggle against the power forwards in the NBA. Also, you need to realize Boozer's offense would be much better than Kirilenkos offense when being defended by the 4's of the league. Wake up! AK is not a legitimate starting 4 anywhere but in Europe.

[HouseofBoozer]

And as far as weight goes? He's added what? 5 lbs? Wow, he'll be the best PF in the NBA. When have we ever seen AK with PF size? That's laughable.

[outerspacefella]

Boozer can actually guard a PF better than Kirilenko.... yet only when he wants to... and that's certainly not an usual thing...

[StocktonShorts]

All this AK at the 4 stuff makes me laugh. The opposing 4 would have position right under the basket every time down the court.

[outerspacefella]

I think Kirilenko will not be a Jazz dilemma much more time.
If the Jazz don't trade him before 2010-11 season, they would be set to pay 43+M to 3 guys... remember the league has informed teams that the cap and luxury treshold numbers could be going down again for 2010-11.... some reports out there are talking about 51 and 61M projected figures.... that would be less than 18M and the exceptions left for 10 or 11 guys...

[schneiderjazz]

All this AK at the 4 stuff makes me laugh. The opposing 4 would have position right under the basket every time down the court.

AK is not suited to play the 4 for 35-40 minutes. He would get tired and banged up too fast. Still I think he could do a better job than Boozer guarding about half the PFs in the league and playing him at PF about 10 minutes a game is actually a pretty good idea.

[HouseofBoozer]

All this AK at the 4 stuff makes me laugh. The opposing 4 would have position right under the basket every time down the court.

AK is not suited to play the 4 for 35-40 minutes. He would get tired and banged up too fast. Still I think he could do a better job than Boozer guarding about half the PFs in the league and playing him at PF about 10 minutes a game is actually a pretty good idea.

In basketball it's important to throw out different matchups. AK coming in for 10 minutes would cause a team to adjust. Which is usually a good thing. However when they adjust they would own him under the basket like others have said. 10 minutes I think is a good amount of time, 5 minutes here, 5 minutes there.

[Togo]

I think Kirilenko would be able to play the 4 for someone like the Suns or the Knicks....but not in a Jerry Sloan system.

[babyjax13]

I think Kirilenko would be able to play the 4 for someone like the Suns or the Knicks....but not in a Jerry Sloan system.

He's done it before and been extremely successful, I don't see why he can't do it now.

[dennis00]

Who is heavier? Kirilenko 6"11 or Deron Williams 6"2?