[Jayhawks2011Participant]

He signed for the 3.1 mini midlevel with the nets.

He turned down 10 mil from the twolves, How much is Prokorav slipping to him in Russia.

He should add some death to the veteren team that has about 2 year window as a contender.

[aztwulfParticipant]

Is he that sick? I know he is real skinny, but death?

[aztwulfParticipant]

Is he that sick? I know he is real skinny, but death?

[HitsterParticipant]

Great pick up by the Nets, gives them a lockdown defender and key extra depth plus they can really watch the minutes of the veterans.

[HitsterParticipant]

Great pick up by the Nets, gives them a lockdown defender and key extra depth plus they can really watch the minutes of the veterans.

[radartrade]

smirnoff and stolichnaya will be flowing in the owner’s box after wins

[CynthiaParticipant]

Oh how I love Stolichnaya…

[CynthiaParticipant]

Oh how I love Stolichnaya…

[radartrade]

smirnoff and stolichnaya will be flowing in the owner’s box after wins

[Bmore_DCParticipant]

i didnt think the Nets had another penny of cap space…

good signing though for sure…Nets will be pretty scary next year, barring any kind of major injuries.

[Bmore_DCParticipant]

i didnt think the Nets had another penny of cap space…

good signing though for sure…Nets will be pretty scary next year, barring any kind of major injuries.

[PurpleMonkeyDishwasherParticipant]

The NBA and the players union are both going to be looking at this one. There has to be some Rubles/money under the table or it could never happen.

Kirelinko will being firing his agent in the next few days to make it look like an agent screw up.

[PurpleMonkeyDishwasherParticipant]

The NBA and the players union are both going to be looking at this one. There has to be some Rubles/money under the table or it could never happen.

Kirelinko will being firing his agent in the next few days to make it look like an agent screw up.

[AmiableBaller34Participant]

I don’t understand why people are getting so suspicious about this. Kobe comes out and says he isn’t taking a pay cut, and fans crucify him. AK actually does, and we still go for the throat? Lets be honest, who really wants to play in Minny?

Brooklyn and their new arena is more impressive, and that’s not even considering the Nets will give him the best chance to win a championship. He teams back up with Deron, gets to play with two future HOF, and is already friends with the Russian owner. He’s 32, and wasn’t about to get paid a ridiculous amount; maybe the MLE from some team. That doesn’t sound like conspiracy to me, especially in an NBA where players take pay cuts all the time (Rondo, Parker, LeBron, Allen, and Dirk just to name a few).

Why can one player force his way to a certain team, but another can’t? Melo made the Knicks give up their entire team for him to play where he wanted, same with Deron to an extent. I have no problem with AK signing cheap to play for the team he wants

[AmiableBaller34Participant]

I don’t understand why people are getting so suspicious about this. Kobe comes out and says he isn’t taking a pay cut, and fans crucify him. AK actually does, and we still go for the throat? Lets be honest, who really wants to play in Minny?

Brooklyn and their new arena is more impressive, and that’s not even considering the Nets will give him the best chance to win a championship. He teams back up with Deron, gets to play with two future HOF, and is already friends with the Russian owner. He’s 32, and wasn’t about to get paid a ridiculous amount; maybe the MLE from some team. That doesn’t sound like conspiracy to me, especially in an NBA where players take pay cuts all the time (Rondo, Parker, LeBron, Allen, and Dirk just to name a few).

Why can one player force his way to a certain team, but another can’t? Melo made the Knicks give up their entire team for him to play where he wanted, same with Deron to an extent. I have no problem with AK signing cheap to play for the team he wants

[TallmanNYCParticipant]

This is insane!
I’m kind of flipping out.
But seriously money wise he screwed up. The market for him wasn’t there. He couldnt take back his opt out. Now he has a one year contract and title chance. Next year he can opt out again. Also BK gives him cred in Russia. Also Prok introduced him to his wife and is probably good guy to be friendly with long term. Also a big FU to the other teams who wouldn’t put an offer on the table.
Taking less money for title chance is legit move. It happens. I’m not saying Nets are favorites or anything like that. But he wasn’t joining Heat, OKC or Spurs. I didn’t hear them making an offer.

[aztwulfParticipant]

“Now he has a one year contract and title chance. Next year he can opt out again”

He has a one year contract, what is there to opt out of?

[aztwulfParticipant]

“Now he has a one year contract and title chance. Next year he can opt out again”

He has a one year contract, what is there to opt out of?

[aztwulfParticipant]

Don’t mean to be snarky, but it just struck me as funny.

[aztwulfParticipant]

Don’t mean to be snarky, but it just struck me as funny.

[TallmanNYCParticipant]

This is insane!
I’m kind of flipping out.
But seriously money wise he screwed up. The market for him wasn’t there. He couldnt take back his opt out. Now he has a one year contract and title chance. Next year he can opt out again. Also BK gives him cred in Russia. Also Prok introduced him to his wife and is probably good guy to be friendly with long term. Also a big FU to the other teams who wouldn’t put an offer on the table.
Taking less money for title chance is legit move. It happens. I’m not saying Nets are favorites or anything like that. But he wasn’t joining Heat, OKC or Spurs. I didn’t hear them making an offer.

[TomShoeParticipant]

AK honestly believes the Nets will be better than the Spurs next season.

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[TomShoeParticipant]

AK honestly believes the Nets will be better than the Spurs next season.

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[GlenTaylorSucksParticipant]

The Nets really are going all in, what with their aging stars, massive team salary ($186 million?!?!??!!), and lack of any draft picks for basically the next 5 years. I hope the best for them this year, ’cause their future doesn’t look too bright afterwards.

[GlenTaylorSucksParticipant]

The Nets really are going all in, what with their aging stars, massive team salary ($186 million?!?!??!!), and lack of any draft picks for basically the next 5 years. I hope the best for them this year, ’cause their future doesn’t look too bright afterwards.

[TallmanNYCParticipant]

First of all, who cares. In the long run we are all dead.

Second going for it is good. That is called trying.

Third all of these guys come off the cap in time to go for Lebron and KD when they become free agents. Do you think this hasn’t gotten the players attention?

[TallmanNYCParticipant]

First of all, who cares. In the long run we are all dead.

Second going for it is good. That is called trying.

Third all of these guys come off the cap in time to go for Lebron and KD when they become free agents. Do you think this hasn’t gotten the players attention?

[ItsVictorOladipoParticipant]

Damn I know the Nets are old but not only is their starting lineup impressive on paper their bench looks very good as well:

PG Shaun Livingstone – Coming off 6.3 PPG, 3.3 APG with only 1.2 turnovers and a 48 FG% in 22 MPG last year.
SG Jason Terry – Can provide an offensive spark off the bench and stretch the floor with his shooting ability
SF Andrei Kirilenko – Can fulfill a variety of roles and guard multiple positions
PF Reggie Evans – Adds toughness and is a rebounding specialist down low
C Andray Blatch – Talented big man can help out offensively off the bench at PF and C

The starting lineup of Deron Williams, Joe Johnson, Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett and Brook Lopez have no reason not to be well rested heading into the playoffs.

[ItsVictorOladipoParticipant]

Damn I know the Nets are old but not only is their starting lineup impressive on paper their bench looks very good as well:

PG Shaun Livingstone – Coming off 6.3 PPG, 3.3 APG with only 1.2 turnovers and a 48 FG% in 22 MPG last year.
SG Jason Terry – Can provide an offensive spark off the bench and stretch the floor with his shooting ability
SF Andrei Kirilenko – Can fulfill a variety of roles and guard multiple positions
PF Reggie Evans – Adds toughness and is a rebounding specialist down low
C Andray Blatch – Talented big man can help out offensively off the bench at PF and C

The starting lineup of Deron Williams, Joe Johnson, Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett and Brook Lopez have no reason not to be well rested heading into the playoffs.

[mini_marzParticipant]

As a duke fan I also had to add plumlee who also looks like he can give solid minutes off the bench if given the opportunity. This team is looking really deep

[mini_marzParticipant]

As a duke fan I also had to add plumlee who also looks like he can give solid minutes off the bench if given the opportunity. This team is looking really deep

[BothTeamsPlayedHardParticipant]

I guess the only difference is that Prokhorov doesn’t like chess.

Brooklyn is going to be fun to watch.

[BothTeamsPlayedHardParticipant]

I guess the only difference is that Prokhorov doesn’t like chess.

Brooklyn is going to be fun to watch.

[aamir543Participant]

Am I the only one who thinks that 7 million dollars is going to coincidentally appear in Kirilenko’s Russian bank account? Or some new property will be put on his name? I’m dead serious.

But to be honest, the Nets are absolutely STACKED. Everyone who says KG and Paul Pierce are old really need to open their eyes and realize that A)Pierce had an All-Star season last year, and B) KG is still a top big man in the league. Now it is possible that either one or both age significantly this off-season, however I doubt it, and if they can click together, I honestly see no reason this team can’t challenge Miami. The scariest part is that their bench is so deep, Blatche put up 10 and 5 in less than 20 mins per game last season, Reggie Evans was a MONSTER on the boards last season, there was a 20 game stretch where he averaged 17 boards a game. And now you add Kirilenko with Terry’s shooting, this team is built to go far. I have to give props to Billy King for making good use of Prokhorov’s deep pockets, to me, they are legitimate championship contenders.

[aamir543Participant]

Am I the only one who thinks that 7 million dollars is going to coincidentally appear in Kirilenko’s Russian bank account? Or some new property will be put on his name? I’m dead serious.

But to be honest, the Nets are absolutely STACKED. Everyone who says KG and Paul Pierce are old really need to open their eyes and realize that A)Pierce had an All-Star season last year, and B) KG is still a top big man in the league. Now it is possible that either one or both age significantly this off-season, however I doubt it, and if they can click together, I honestly see no reason this team can’t challenge Miami. The scariest part is that their bench is so deep, Blatche put up 10 and 5 in less than 20 mins per game last season, Reggie Evans was a MONSTER on the boards last season, there was a 20 game stretch where he averaged 17 boards a game. And now you add Kirilenko with Terry’s shooting, this team is built to go far. I have to give props to Billy King for making good use of Prokhorov’s deep pockets, to me, they are legitimate championship contenders.

[PurpleMonkeyDishwasherParticipant]

Their owner is a Russian billionaire that made is fortune on shady government mining deals… I guess Kirilenko cares more about backing up an aging roster than he does winning. What a farce. Kirilenko is one of my favorite players to watch but this deal doesn’t pass the smell test.

He’s not Kobe making 32 million per year. He’s an aging player looking for his last score of a contract. You don’t take a 70% paycut unless money is coming back to you in some way.

The Nets will have new owners within 2-1/2 years. Adam Silver’s first real test will be ridding the league of the Nets owner after uncovering his shady dealings..

[PurpleMonkeyDishwasherParticipant]

Their owner is a Russian billionaire that made is fortune on shady government mining deals… I guess Kirilenko cares more about backing up an aging roster than he does winning. What a farce. Kirilenko is one of my favorite players to watch but this deal doesn’t pass the smell test.

He’s not Kobe making 32 million per year. He’s an aging player looking for his last score of a contract. You don’t take a 70% paycut unless money is coming back to you in some way.

The Nets will have new owners within 2-1/2 years. Adam Silver’s first real test will be ridding the league of the Nets owner after uncovering his shady dealings..

[Tongue-Out-Like-23Participant]

I’m sure when Kirilenko retires from the NBA, he’s going to snag a big contract from CSKA Moscow, even if he isn’t worth it.

[TallmanNYCParticipant]

Well he started his career and played a few years for CSKA and then he played there during the lockout, so it wouldn’t be too unusual for him to end up playing there again. Or perhaps getting a coaching position down the road.

Besides putting him on a contender and getting to play in a big market, being on the Nets is going to raise AK’s visibility in Russia, which is probably a long term good thing for him.

[Tongue-Out-Like-23Participant]

I don’t think you understood the point of my comment lmao

[Tongue-Out-Like-23Participant]

I don’t think you understood the point of my comment lmao

[TallmanNYCParticipant]

I got the point. I’m just saying that even if he gets that contract it won’t prove anything. AK is going to go back to Russia at some point and as he is perhaps their most famous player he will continue to be involved with Russian basketball once can assume.

Forgive me, but I’m a little paranoid the league is going to think something fishy is up with this signing and step in and stop it.

[TallmanNYCParticipant]

I got the point. I’m just saying that even if he gets that contract it won’t prove anything. AK is going to go back to Russia at some point and as he is perhaps their most famous player he will continue to be involved with Russian basketball once can assume.

Forgive me, but I’m a little paranoid the league is going to think something fishy is up with this signing and step in and stop it.

[TallmanNYCParticipant]

Well he started his career and played a few years for CSKA and then he played there during the lockout, so it wouldn’t be too unusual for him to end up playing there again. Or perhaps getting a coaching position down the road.

Besides putting him on a contender and getting to play in a big market, being on the Nets is going to raise AK’s visibility in Russia, which is probably a long term good thing for him.

[Tongue-Out-Like-23Participant]

I’m sure when Kirilenko retires from the NBA, he’s going to snag a big contract from CSKA Moscow, even if he isn’t worth it.

[TallmanNYCParticipant]

AK took a one year deal for a ring. Folks got to relax with the conspiracy theories.

[TallmanNYCParticipant]

AK took a one year deal for a ring. Folks got to relax with the conspiracy theories.

[TallmanNYCParticipant]

AK took a one year deal for a ring. Folks got to relax with the conspiracy theories.

[TallmanNYCParticipant]

AK took a one year deal for a ring. Folks got to relax with the conspiracy theories.

[JoeJoParticipant]

I don’t think there was any money available unless he wanted to sign with a bad or mid-range team. I don’t think the Spurs even had the money to offer him 3 million because they used their MLE on Bellinelli and Pendergraph. The Nets were the best combination of money, team quality and Russian affiliation.

He’s coming off a very good season. This is a fantastic signing regardless of the money. The Nets were missing a player who’d allow them to go small and Kirilenko provides that. Not only that, power forward is where he was at his best and an all-star as it puts his defense to its full use and his sub-par three point shooting stroke isn’t a big liability. The Nets have improved their shooting and defense immensely this off season. All it took was the willingness to pay nearly 90 million in luxury tax and a team eager to rebuild.

[JoeJoParticipant]

I don’t think there was any money available unless he wanted to sign with a bad or mid-range team. I don’t think the Spurs even had the money to offer him 3 million because they used their MLE on Bellinelli and Pendergraph. The Nets were the best combination of money, team quality and Russian affiliation.

He’s coming off a very good season. This is a fantastic signing regardless of the money. The Nets were missing a player who’d allow them to go small and Kirilenko provides that. Not only that, power forward is where he was at his best and an all-star as it puts his defense to its full use and his sub-par three point shooting stroke isn’t a big liability. The Nets have improved their shooting and defense immensely this off season. All it took was the willingness to pay nearly 90 million in luxury tax and a team eager to rebuild.

[PurpleMonkeyDishwasherParticipant]

You are fooling yourself if you think the Nets even have a chance at a title. At this point the Wolves are every bit as good as the Nets.

[TallmanNYCParticipant]

Well I won’t disagree too much since the Wolves should be very good. They should have been a 50 win team last year and they probably should be again this year assuming Rubio and Love are healthy. KMart is a great fit and Brewer is good as well. Losing AK is going to be tough, but obviously Love is much better. The Wolves have a nice position since they have two guys in Rubio and Love who are still locked into rookie contracts. (I know Love is second half of rookie contract where he gets paid max, but since he was restricted free agent he has basically still been locked into Minnesota.) Good for you guys, most teams don’t get franchise level players with the fifth pick. You got two. Nets are doing things a little differently.

As for not being a title contender, I don’t know what your point is. Look I know the Nets don’t have Lebron. I get it. But they are good team and a very deep team. What more do you want? They are trying and setting themselves up for a run. You think there is no possibility this team makes it to the Finals? None. Who knows what happens in a seven game series. Did you see the finals? Danny Green was crazy hot from three for first five games. That almost won the Spurs the title, it should have but for that lucky last 30 seconds of game six. Maybe DWill gets hot in the playoffs. (Or Pierce, Garnett, Lopez, Blatche, Joe Johnson, Jason Terry. . . ) We’ve got a puncher’s chance against Miami and Indiana. That’s good enough for me.

[TallmanNYCParticipant]

Well I won’t disagree too much since the Wolves should be very good. They should have been a 50 win team last year and they probably should be again this year assuming Rubio and Love are healthy. KMart is a great fit and Brewer is good as well. Losing AK is going to be tough, but obviously Love is much better. The Wolves have a nice position since they have two guys in Rubio and Love who are still locked into rookie contracts. (I know Love is second half of rookie contract where he gets paid max, but since he was restricted free agent he has basically still been locked into Minnesota.) Good for you guys, most teams don’t get franchise level players with the fifth pick. You got two. Nets are doing things a little differently.

As for not being a title contender, I don’t know what your point is. Look I know the Nets don’t have Lebron. I get it. But they are good team and a very deep team. What more do you want? They are trying and setting themselves up for a run. You think there is no possibility this team makes it to the Finals? None. Who knows what happens in a seven game series. Did you see the finals? Danny Green was crazy hot from three for first five games. That almost won the Spurs the title, it should have but for that lucky last 30 seconds of game six. Maybe DWill gets hot in the playoffs. (Or Pierce, Garnett, Lopez, Blatche, Joe Johnson, Jason Terry. . . ) We’ve got a puncher’s chance against Miami and Indiana. That’s good enough for me.

[PurpleMonkeyDishwasherParticipant]

You are fooling yourself if you think the Nets even have a chance at a title. At this point the Wolves are every bit as good as the Nets.

[HitsterParticipant]

Russian owners have taken over loads of football clubs across Europe and they will literally spend millions on them and look to buy success, what the Nets owner is doing is no different to this. These guys will go all in for success and will spend whatever it takes.

[HitsterParticipant]

Russian owners have taken over loads of football clubs across Europe and they will literally spend millions on them and look to buy success, what the Nets owner is doing is no different to this. These guys will go all in for success and will spend whatever it takes.

[PurpleMonkeyDishwasherParticipant]

I never said the Nets wouldn’t be a good team. I said they wouldn’t be a title contender. Rookie coach with old players as well as stuborn players isn’t normally a great mix. By the time the Nets become a real team Garnett will be gone and Pierce will be on his heals.

The Nets have tried so hard to keep up with the Knicks that they were built differently but they still over-paid for the wrong players and will in about the same position/talentwise . Neither New York team is built for anything more than a couple of playoff rounds.

[TallmanNYCParticipant]

So nothing more than a “couple of playoff rounds”? You say that like this is a bad thing. Going from being 12 and 70 to playoffs and then next year to second round of playoffs would be a very impressive move. None of these “tankapalooza” teams are going to do that. I will take a bunch of wins and then a puncher’s chance in the playoffs over watching a terrible team for a season to then watch ping pong balls and a 25% chance at the top pick in the draft. Which even in best case scenario gives you a young stud that still takes a year or two develop. So the tank strategy takes years of bad basketball to pay off. I’d love to see the Nets make the Eastern Conference Finals. That would be great. Most fans don’t get that.

By the way, what do you mean “by the time the Nets become a real team Garnett will be gone and Pierce will be on his heals”? What do you think these veteran HofF won’t figure out how to play together in the first season? Garnett has two years left on his contract. Who knows what will happen in two years. This team might be completely remade. But lets not even think about that. This will be a very interesting team to watch. You have to agree with that. And I think they will gell very quickly because everyone they are picking up is experienced and has a good understanding of basketball. But yep we have to wait and see how it works out. But this isn’t going to be the Lakers 2013. The Lakers had a terrible bench which is not the story here.

[TallmanNYCParticipant]

So nothing more than a “couple of playoff rounds”? You say that like this is a bad thing. Going from being 12 and 70 to playoffs and then next year to second round of playoffs would be a very impressive move. None of these “tankapalooza” teams are going to do that. I will take a bunch of wins and then a puncher’s chance in the playoffs over watching a terrible team for a season to then watch ping pong balls and a 25% chance at the top pick in the draft. Which even in best case scenario gives you a young stud that still takes a year or two develop. So the tank strategy takes years of bad basketball to pay off. I’d love to see the Nets make the Eastern Conference Finals. That would be great. Most fans don’t get that.

By the way, what do you mean “by the time the Nets become a real team Garnett will be gone and Pierce will be on his heals”? What do you think these veteran HofF won’t figure out how to play together in the first season? Garnett has two years left on his contract. Who knows what will happen in two years. This team might be completely remade. But lets not even think about that. This will be a very interesting team to watch. You have to agree with that. And I think they will gell very quickly because everyone they are picking up is experienced and has a good understanding of basketball. But yep we have to wait and see how it works out. But this isn’t going to be the Lakers 2013. The Lakers had a terrible bench which is not the story here.

[PurpleMonkeyDishwasherParticipant]

I never said the Nets wouldn’t be a good team. I said they wouldn’t be a title contender. Rookie coach with old players as well as stuborn players isn’t normally a great mix. By the time the Nets become a real team Garnett will be gone and Pierce will be on his heals.

The Nets have tried so hard to keep up with the Knicks that they were built differently but they still over-paid for the wrong players and will in about the same position/talentwise . Neither New York team is built for anything more than a couple of playoff rounds.

[PurpleMonkeyDishwasherParticipant]

I was responding to the fact that you said Kirilenko was taking a less money for a ring. Two playoff rounds isn’t worth 7 million to anyone on this planet.

It will take time for the players the Nets asssembled to trust one another before they would ever have a chance to have a legitimate shot at coming out of the east with Miami, Pacers and Bulls already being cohesive well rounded teams.

Whenever you bring together players that have been alpha males for their entire careers it doesn’t often make for a smooth transition. An example being the Lakers when they added Karl Malone and Gary Payton thinking they would automatically win a championship because of their inclusion. The veteran players the Nets added are set in their ways and will be expected to listen to first time J Kidd when many of them are just as qualified to run a team as he is.. at least in their own minds.

I believe the Nets will solid team… just not world champions any time soon.

[PurpleMonkeyDishwasherParticipant]

I was responding to the fact that you said Kirilenko was taking a less money for a ring. Two playoff rounds isn’t worth 7 million to anyone on this planet.

It will take time for the players the Nets asssembled to trust one another before they would ever have a chance to have a legitimate shot at coming out of the east with Miami, Pacers and Bulls already being cohesive well rounded teams.

Whenever you bring together players that have been alpha males for their entire careers it doesn’t often make for a smooth transition. An example being the Lakers when they added Karl Malone and Gary Payton thinking they would automatically win a championship because of their inclusion. The veteran players the Nets added are set in their ways and will be expected to listen to first time J Kidd when many of them are just as qualified to run a team as he is.. at least in their own minds.

I believe the Nets will solid team… just not world champions any time soon.

[AmiableBaller34Participant]

I wouldn’t be to hasty to say that. Sure that Lakers team didn’t win it all that year, but they still made it to the finals, and lost to a team that was literally built on the fly by adding the “alpha male” Rasheed Wallace. The 2007-08 Celtics won the ship their first year together. The Miami Heat went to the finals as well in 2010, and the same could be said about many other teams. The bottom line comes down to how much the players want to win.

You say “the Nets are set in their ways”, but how can you say that when they have never even played a game together? KG, Pierce, and Terry have all shown an insane amount of loyalty to their teams, and have sacrificed a lot to be where they are. Same could be said for Blatche and AK47 who both took huge pay cuts just to play for this team. I think the only wild personality on the Nets right now is Deron, and something tells me we’re going to see a more humble Deron this year than in years past. Playing with all those great veterans is going to be a refreshment for him.

[AmiableBaller34Participant]

I wouldn’t be to hasty to say that. Sure that Lakers team didn’t win it all that year, but they still made it to the finals, and lost to a team that was literally built on the fly by adding the “alpha male” Rasheed Wallace. The 2007-08 Celtics won the ship their first year together. The Miami Heat went to the finals as well in 2010, and the same could be said about many other teams. The bottom line comes down to how much the players want to win.

You say “the Nets are set in their ways”, but how can you say that when they have never even played a game together? KG, Pierce, and Terry have all shown an insane amount of loyalty to their teams, and have sacrificed a lot to be where they are. Same could be said for Blatche and AK47 who both took huge pay cuts just to play for this team. I think the only wild personality on the Nets right now is Deron, and something tells me we’re going to see a more humble Deron this year than in years past. Playing with all those great veterans is going to be a refreshment for him.

[TallmanNYCParticipant]

Just one correction, I don’t believe AK turned down a $10 million offer to take the Nets $3 million. I certainly haven’t heard of one. Now he did opt out of his final $10 million year in Minnesota. Maybe at that time he assumed he would get something like what G. Wallace got (4 for $40) or perhaps what Jose Calderon got (4 for $28) and he wanted to lock in a longer term contract before his skills eroded further due to age. But that type of contract wasn’t there.

But once a player opts out, that contract is gone. AK doesn’t get to do a “do over”. He can’t test the market and then go back to his player option. Also the Wolves have Love coming back and wanted to add perimeter shooting. They didn’t really want to sign up AK long term.

So you have to compare the Nets offer to offers given to him by other teams. He talked to other teams. I think there were talks about some teams using their $5 million mid-level exception. If that is all that he got offered, you are talking about $3 million vs $5 million. And he thinks he is joining a title contender, or at least that is what is saying in the press. He is saying this is the best team he will have been on in his 12 years and it will motivate him because he knows they are going to the playoffs.

[TallmanNYCParticipant]

Just one correction, I don’t believe AK turned down a $10 million offer to take the Nets $3 million. I certainly haven’t heard of one. Now he did opt out of his final $10 million year in Minnesota. Maybe at that time he assumed he would get something like what G. Wallace got (4 for $40) or perhaps what Jose Calderon got (4 for $28) and he wanted to lock in a longer term contract before his skills eroded further due to age. But that type of contract wasn’t there.

But once a player opts out, that contract is gone. AK doesn’t get to do a “do over”. He can’t test the market and then go back to his player option. Also the Wolves have Love coming back and wanted to add perimeter shooting. They didn’t really want to sign up AK long term.

So you have to compare the Nets offer to offers given to him by other teams. He talked to other teams. I think there were talks about some teams using their $5 million mid-level exception. If that is all that he got offered, you are talking about $3 million vs $5 million. And he thinks he is joining a title contender, or at least that is what is saying in the press. He is saying this is the best team he will have been on in his 12 years and it will motivate him because he knows they are going to the playoffs.

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