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Former Net Pick, Prokhorov Favorite in Russia, Wants Back in the NBA

By Net Income
CSKA Moscow
CSKA Moscow

Viktor Khryapa was drafted by the Nets in 2004, then sold to the Blazers on Draft Night for $3 million. He was a Net for as long as it took him to change caps.  After a middling four-year NBA career, 4.5 points and 3.4 rebounds in 16 minutes per game, the 6'9" Khryapa went back to Russia in 2008, signed by Andrei Vatutin with Mikhail Prokhorov's money. Now 27, he told a Russian website Saturday he wants back in the NBA, saying his contract has an NBA "out" at the end of this season. His contract is lucrative by European standards--2.5 million euros, net of taxes.  He's unlikely to match that in the NBA.

Although Khryapa didn't say he wants to play for the Nets, speculation is bound to arise about the possibility, considering his various connections with the team. 

Khryapa has played very well in the Euroleague this season, averaging 10.1 ppg, 6.3 rpg, and 4.2 assists in 31 minutes while hitting 43.3% of his three point attempts. He was just named MVP in the Euroleague for March and been nominated for the Euroleague defensive player of the year award. "Simply put, everything is possible - my contract provides for a departure to the NBA," he told the Russian website. He's not the only former Nets' pick on CSKA.  There's Zoran Planinic as well.

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