by Marcel Mutoni / @marcel_mutoni
According to published reports, the Phoenix Suns, Minnesota Timberwolves and New Orleans are involved in trade talks that could send Andrei Kirilenko to Minny, Wesley Johnson to Phoenix, and Robin Lopez plus Hakim Warrick to New Orleans.
The deal also includes one protected first-round draft pick going to the Suns, and Brad Miller’s contract (Miller is retiring, and his contract can be waived.)
Per Yahoo! Sports:
The Minnesota Timberwolves are clearing salary-cap space to target free-agent forward Andrei Kirilenko by helping facilitate a three-team trade that would send Phoenix’s Robin Lopez and Hakim Warrick to the New Orleans Hornets, league sources said. The trade gathered momentum Tuesday night and centered on Lopez agreeing to a three-year, $15 million-plus contract and moving to the Hornets in a sign-and-trade agreement, league sources said.
Miller’s contract would go to the Suns, and Warrick would possibly move to the Hornets, sources said. New Orleans would also send two future second-round draft picks to Minnesota.
Anthony Davis and Robin Lopez would certainly make for an intriguing frontcourt for the Hornets.
Andrei Kirilenko has a “small” buyout from his team in Russia, according to his agent, and AK47 is determined to play in the NBA next season (for a salary of around $8 million a year, per reports.)
