Andrei Kirilenko Says Nothing Suspicious About Deal With Brooklyn Nets

According to AK-47, there’s nothing shady about his ultra-shady contract with the Brooklyn Nets. Andrei Kirilenko opted out of a considerably bigger deal with the Minnesota Timberwolves prior to ending up in BK this summer. Per the NY Daily News: “Why’d you give up so much money? ‘I opted out not because I wanted to sign with the Nets. At that time, I wanted to be in Minnesota for a long time. But there was a change in Minnesota. I respect Flip Saunders’ decision, but he decided not to sign me for a long time. I can’t do anything about that.’ Conspiracy theories rooted in stereotypes? ‘I can’t do anything with what people think. I’m coming from the facts. I can’t change it. I can’t control it. …Those type of rumors I can’t control. And I guess it comes from the history because of the Russian KGB. It makes it a little funny. What can I do?’ Relationship with Prokhorov? ‘When he finally got the team, I was very happy that finally a Russian owner has a team in the NBA. It’s a great platform. It’s a great improvement for the Russian basketball at that point. I was in Utah, I was thinking it was great, especially in New York, with the Russian community. I had those thoughts that one day I would be with the Nets.’ Regrets about opting out? ‘No, I don’t have any regrets. As I always sit here with my wife, we sit here talking to my wife about different options, different opportunities. It’s the same as when I signed with Utah I had different opportunities. But all the details, which is –coach, roster, money, goals, city. You kind of combine all those things together and you try to find the optimal option for me, for my family. At this point, the Brooklyn Nets was the best option possible if you combined all those things. …I understand the money is not that great, it’s not what I could have made. But if you take a look at the situation, I’m not sure if 10 years ago I would have taken this. But right now, it’s really the best option possible – to take a legit chance to win the trophy. I’m not saying we’re going to win it. It’s going to take a lot of work. But it’s a great chance and it’s the first time in my career where I’m basically starting the season when I know we have a chance to win the whole thing.'”