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NYKresurrection
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JAZZ: Untouchable? Kirilenko now may be on block
By Ross Siler
The Salt Lake Tribune
Article Last Updated: 06/22/2007 10:54:30 AM MDT
Jazz owner Larry Miller told a story on the radio Thursday from a couple of years ago, when Andrei Kirilenko was an All-Star and Donnie Nelson was working as an assistant coach for the Dallas Mavericks on his father's staff.
According to Miller, Nelson approached him after a game and offered any player on the Mavericks roster plus draft picks for Kirilenko, then one of the youngest and most dynamic players in basketball. The offer was rejected then. It wouldn't be now.
"When that happened with Donnie Nelson, I said, 'He's untradeable,' " Miller said in his last weekly appearance of the season on 1280 AM. "Today, I won't say that.
"I don't want to hang it over his head as a threat, and I'll make clear that it's not a fire sale, but if there were a situation that was better for Andrei and better for us, we definitely would consider it."
With those words, Kirilenko might officially have been placed on the trade market, after a season characterized by what Miller described as "severe frustration." Miller also said of Kirilenko's recent outbursts: "He needs to grow up . . . and I just hope he will."
The always outspoken Miller acknowledged the impact his comments would have and offered his belief that Kirilenko, 26, might be untradeable given the $63 million he is owed through 2010-11 on his contract.
"What'll happen now," Miller said, "if nothing else even from this conversation, which will get around the league, [is] that the
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vultures will start circling and people will start bargain hunting."
Kevin O'Connor, the Jazz's senior vice president of basketball operations, did not return a call Thursday night.
The question is whether the Jazz could get fair return on a trade after a season in which Kirilenko averaged just 8.3 points and 4.7 rebounds. The Jazz's best hope, Miller said, would be to find a team whose general manager is a true believer in Kirilenko's skills.
The other option would be to find a team whose open-court style is better suited to Kirilenko's game. Should no trade happen, the question is whether Kirilenko has worn out his welcome in Utah and if his relationship with the team can be repaired.
Earlier this week, Jazz coach Jerry Sloan pronounced himself "disappointed" in comments Kirilenko made to a Russian newspaper. Miller took things a step further Thursday.
"Some of the stuff that's coming out of his mouth reflects at least severe frustration and maybe brain fade, OK," Miller said. "But it's been surprising in some of the things he's said when he went back to Russia.
"I think he thought the Iron Curtain was still up and it blocked electronic communication."
While Deron Williams, Carlos Boozer and Mehmet Okur all emerged as stars this season, Kirilenko often was lost on the floor and an emotional wreck. Miller, however, called into question Kirilenko's effort as the team's highest-paid player.
The owner said Kirilenko once described his role as that of a spectator, standing in the corner on the far side of the court, waiting for a shot to go up and then running back on defense. An incredulous Miller said on air, "Do I have stupid written on my forehead?"
Miller cited the "paltry" $12.3 million Kirilenko made last season as well as the way Kirilenko's agent built him up to be a player worthy of a maximum contract. He also borrowed a favorite Sloan saying: "Have you missed any paychecks?"
"Maybe I'm being a bad guy for saying this," Miller said. "When I pay a guy all the money . . . I expect him to play. And I expect him to play well."
The onus is on Kirilenko, Miller said, to find a way to impact the game, whether through defense or rebounding, when his shot isn't falling. He suggested Kirilenko study how forward Matt Harpring plays, never mind that Kirilenko starts ahead of Harpring.
"When Andrei's really good, we are a really good team," Miller said. "I guess we know what we're going to get from Deron and from Mehmet and from Carlos, so then Andrei becomes a wild card, a variable, that can really have a great deal to do with our success or lack of it."
Miller made his comments one day after the Jazz brought together their front office and coaching staff to discuss the upcoming draft, the current roster and available free agents.
In terms of the Jazz's free agents, Miller said his preference would be to re-sign Dee Brown, Rafael Araujo and C.J. Miles. Miles played in just 37 games this season but is only 20 and clearly in favor within the organization.
"I was a little surprised and really pleased at how much positive support there was for him around the table," Miller said, adding, "We think that he's got a talent and he'll be good in the future. And we've just got to remember how young these kids are coming out."
GOD arose JESUS from the grave !!!
Isiah arose the Knicks from their grave !!!
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6/22/2007 3:48 PM