Word leaked out Tuesday that the Nets have put three of their biggest stars — Deron Williams, Brook Lopez and Joe Johnson — out there on the trade block. Which is going to be interesting because each of those guys comes with both baggage and a huge contract, meaning moving them is not going to be easy.
But already the Nets are close to a deal… to move Andrei Kirilenko. To the 76ers.
That deal has been discussed before but the Nets pulled back to see if there was serious interest from teams that need an upgrade at the three — Cleveland, the LA Clippers — but now the talks are back on, reports Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports
Only one real trade in the works for Brooklyn: Once more, Nets-76ers trying to complete an Andrei Kirilenko deal, league sources tell Yahoo.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) December 9, 2014
To unload Kirilenko, Nets would include second-rounder, sources tell Yahoo. Philly would waive Kirilenko. Teams still discussing details.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) December 9, 2014
With luxury tax saved on Kirilenko's $3.1M contract, Nets could spare themselves nearly $12M in a deal.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) December 9, 2014
For the Sixers, this is just about adding another pick. Philly GM Sam Hinkie is going to show up on “Hoarders” with a home just overflowing with picks.
Kirilenko is dealing with a family matter currently, has not played in a game with weeks and is not traveling with the team, just working out at the Nets’ facility. He can’t help a team in the short term.
If you’re the Clippers or Cavaliers or any other team with interest in Kirilenko, you wouldn’t give up much in a trade to get him if you knew that he would be a free agent soon after the Sixers waived him.
Which means the Nets don’t have a lot of options. The Sixers may be the best one.
And it may be the only Nets deal you see for a while.