Sources: Nets Cleared In NBA Probe Of Kirilenko Signing

[RealGM Wiretap]

The NBA investigated the Brooklyn Nets for their signing of Andrei Kirilenko and cleared the organization in a "thorough" probe, according to sources.

Kirilenko, who made roughly $10 million in Minnesota last season, opted out of the final year of his Timberwolves’ deal and took the Nets’ $3.1 mini-midlevel exception. In doing so, he triggered a wave of anger and suspicion.

The league launched its investigation, questioning participants. Nets officials were summoned — at one point on a weekend, usually a time off in the summer for league execs.

“It was a very, very thorough investigation,” one source said. “They checked everything.”

Via Fred Kerber/New York Post

[BadNFluenz]

where are the details?


'league launched its investigation, questioning participants. Nets officials were summoned''

good lord thanks for that investigation.


nice fitting pic of billy king btw

[Donnyxc]

I think it just came down to this:

Why would Andrei opt out of a $10 million deal + starting spot to come off the bench and sign a 2 year $3 mil deal?

Maybe he wanted to win. Maybe he was getting an additional somethin' somethin'.

[captlopez0012]

its pretty hard to prove something like this unless kirilenko or prokovic (or however you spell it) chose to admit it. nothing the league can do about it.

[ratmrocks89]

he's getting dirty money under the table.

[burritoKURUMA]

its pretty hard to prove something like this unless kirilenko or prokovic (or however you spell it) chose to admit it. nothing the league can do about it.

I don't know about that. Would you ever put millions of dollars on a handshake?

I'm sure the "But he promised!" argument would work well if Prokorov reneged on the money.

(The point is: The side deal, if there was one, would have to be written down somewhere)

[MKG35]

I think it just came down to this:

Why would Andrei opt out of a $10 million deal + starting spot to come off the bench and sign a 2 year $3 mil deal?

Maybe he wanted to win. Maybe he was getting an additional somethin' somethin'.

Why did Ray Allen decide to join Miami and take a pay cut? He must be getting somethin' somethin'.




There have been tons of players who have pulled this off but everyone is crying about it because the Nets are stacked. Kirilenko is a 32 year old forward who averages 12 ppg. Oh boy, big deal.
(I must admit though, he's still a good player and very useful.)

[Scalabrine]

its pretty hard to prove something like this unless kirilenko or prokovic (or however you spell it) chose to admit it. nothing the league can do about it.

I don't know about that. Would you ever put millions of dollars on a handshake?

I'm sure the "But he promised!" argument would work well if Prokorov reneged on the money.

(The point is: The side deal, if there was one, would have to be written down somewhere)

somewhere in russia.

[10acious]

There needs to be an investigation of the investigation.

[inquisitive]

can never be proved....just a waste of time and resources for doing this

[RoyalWun]

I think it just came down to this:

Why would Andrei opt out of a $10 million deal + starting spot to come off the bench and sign a 2 year $3 mil deal?

Maybe he wanted to win. Maybe he was getting an additional somethin' somethin'.

Good chance the Nets will be better than the T'Wolves.

So why not join a team you're thinking will be better?

[Reverse_Angle]

can never be proved....just a waste of time and resources for doing this

Heads would roll had anyone talked.

[Luv those Knicks]

I think it just came down to this:

Why would Andrei opt out of a $10 million deal + starting spot to come off the bench and sign a 2 year $3 mil deal?

Maybe he wanted to win. Maybe he was getting an additional somethin' somethin'.

Good chance the Nets will be better than the T'Wolves.

So why not join a team you're thinking will be better?

Not many players would take a 7 million dollar paycut to do that. Occasionally you'll find one at the end of their career, but 7 million is a lot.

[MaseInYourFace]

My a** it was thorough. Nets clearly paid this dude under the table.

[15th overall]

Probably the same crack team of investigators that determined that Miami's "decision" offseason was on the level. Rules are only enforced if the league's not making money off of you.

[StickAndMove]

I wouldn't be surprised if Kirilenko was going to receive money under the table. However, I wouldn't be surprised if he just took the $7M paycut because he was sick of losing, either.

I know $7M seems a lot to give away -- and most players wouldn't -- but that doesn't mean all of them wouldn't. Rick Fox has talked about taking almost $20M less (over the course of the entire contract) to play for the Lakers, because he couldn't stand being in a losing environment anymore.

AK47 has made over $100M in NBA salary over his career. At the very least, I believe it's plausible that he decided he'd rather not have the $7M and be able to play where he wants to instead. I'm sure his net worth is huge. $7M won't impact his lifestyle.

[Shem]

My a** it was thorough. Nets clearly paid this dude under the table.

Can you prove that? If you can, tell us how, especially how you said it was "clearly" done.

[Paradise]

My a** it was thorough. Nets clearly paid this dude under the table.

Now, prove he took money under the table with the other facts involved.

-Loves The owner. Both are familiar with each other
-Very close to the Williams family
-chance to play in NY
-Chance to live in Brooklyn's Russian community
-Chance to play with D-Will/Lopez
-Chance to play with Garnett/Pierce
-Chance to win a ring


Was JR taking money under the table last year when he agree to a vet min deal in the offseason? There is no difference here.