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Andrei Kirilenko: A Possible Hornets Aid?

By John Woodcock

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Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports reports that the Brooklyn Nets have reached a deal to send Andrei Kirilenko to the Philadelphia 76ers. The Nets could also send bench guard Jorge Gutierrez to Philly in the deal. Forward Brandon Davies would go to the Nets with a second round pick and the right to flip second round picks in the 2018 NBA Draft.

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Wojnarowski also reports that Kirilenko will be released by the 76ers after his contract is bought out. That would make Kirilenko a free agent. Kirilenko is dealing with some family troubles that could prevent his signing with another team for a while. There are teams that could use a small forward with his skills if he is truly available.

Andrei Kirilenko to the Hornets?

Obviously if this was Kirilenko from five years ago, this would be a no-brainer. The Hornets or anybody could benefit from the multi-faceted game that AK-47 used to provide. He used to be a fantasy basketball monster.

However, Kirilenko of late has been unable to stay healthy and his stats took a big hit last year. Kirilenko has been up and down as a three point shooter. That would not solve the Hornets’ spacing problems or give the Hornets’ a true shooting option at the small forward.

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    • The upside to Kirilenko is the defensive option that he offers. He could guard threes or he could spend some time spelling Marvin Williams and guard stretch fours. Kirilenko also played with Big Al, so there would be some connection there.

    Ultimately the small forward position of the Hornets is based on the health of Michael Kidd-Gilchrist. Gerald Henderson is in that slot right now, which is a defensive liability and not a shooter. Jeff Taylor would probably be part of the solution when he returns from suspension. If there is some concern about MKG’s health over the long haul, the Hornets should look at Kirilenko.

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