NBA Rumors: Landing Andrei Kirilenko Would Be Nice Start to Offseason for Nets

The Brooklyn Nets won't be landing Dwight Howard, at least not this offseason. The possibility remains high that Deron Williams will decide to sign elsewhere as well.

But hey, at least the offseason is starting out on a solid note.

According to Wendell Maxey, Andrei Kirilenko has a verbal agreement in place to join the Nets next year:

"

spoke with two contacts in russia close to andrei kirilenko. say AK to brooklyn nets deal in place. plans to sign 3-year after euroleague.

— wendell maxey (@w_maxey) May 2, 2012"

Apparently, the deal has been in the works for much of this year.

"

at this point, just verbal agreement in place with AK/nets. no contract in place, amount of deal on known but has been in works all season.

— wendell maxey (@w_maxey) May 2, 2012"

Kirilenko has spent the past season playing for PCB CSKA Moscow in Russia.

While he isn't the player that averaged 16.5 points and 8.1 rebounds in 2003-04 for the Utah Jazz, Kirilenko is still an excellent defensive player that blocks a lot of shots on the wing, battles on the boards and is generally good for 10-12 points a night.

His shooting leaves a bit to be desired—as does his intensity on occasion—but he is an excellent finisher around the basket.

Simply put, he's a solid role player on the wing or as an undersized 4, and his addition will certainly help the Nets. While he alone won't be enough to convince Deron Williams to stick around, bringing him to Brooklyn is certainly a nice start.

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