Andrei Kirilenko will not be traveling with the Nets on their two-game road trip against the Thunder and Spurs this weekend for personal reason, the Nets PR Department announced Friday morning.
Andrei Kirilenko will not be on the Nets trip this weekend due to "personal reasons," the team said.
— Andrew Keh (@andrewkeh) November 21, 2014
And says Lionel Hollins, AK47 may have played his last game for the Nets.
Lionel Hollins was asked if Andrei Kirilenko will rejoin team after #Nets two-game trip is over. Hollins: "I don't know."
— Rod Boone (@rodboone) November 21, 2014
RT @nydninternets Lionel Hollins says he doesnt know if Kirilenko will rejoin team after trip.
— Mike Mazzeo (@MazzESPN) November 21, 2014
Source says situation between Kirilenko and Nets probably won't be resolved until he's on another team.
— Stefan Bondy (@nydninternets) November 21, 2014
There's no indication yet that the Nets are trying to move Kirilenko, but his options might not be limited to the NBA. Tim Bontemps notes that a deal might have to wait until after December 15, when all rookies and players signed to contracts this summer are eligible to be moved.
Just before the season began --and obviously before he began to sit out games, Kirilenko's wife went on Instagram to thank CSKA Moscow for retiring her father's number, adding, ""Looking forward to finish @ak47net career there"
Kirilenko has been struggling to stay on the floor this season, not because of health issues, but because of his poor play when on the court. The Russian forward who was a candidate to start for the team this season is averaging only five minutes per game in seven games. Since he played 10 minutes, scoring three points in the Nets opening night loss to Boston, he's played only 26 minutes. He's been inactive the last two games.
Bojan Bogdanovic, Mirza Teletovic, Alan Anderson, and now its seems Markel Brown have passed Kirilenko on the depth chart.
The Nets take on the Thunder Friday night in Oklahoma City at 8 PM EST on the YES Network.
- Nets likely to either trade or dump Andrei Kirilenko - Tim Bontemps - New York Post
- Report: Andrei Kirilenko could be done with Nets - James Herbert - CBS Sports
- Report: Nets’ Kirilenko may soon be bought out or traded - Steve Aschburner - NBA.com