2011 NBA Free Agents: Is Andrei Kirilenko Worth Signing?

There's no question that Andrei Kirilenko didn't live up to his massive contract with the Utah Jazz.

The question now: Is he a worthy starter?

Kirilenko used to be a monster. In the 2003-2004 season, he averaged 16.5 points, 8.1 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 2.8 blocks and 1.9 steals, which earned him an All-Star selection.

But ever since the 2005-2006 season, Kirilenko hasn't been the same player.

Last season, Kirilenko averaged 11.7 points, 5.1 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.2 blocks and 1.3 steals. Those are still good all-round numbers, but it's clear by now you can't expect him to be the difference maker on a team.

On top of that, Kirilenko is 30 years old now and isn't going to get any better at this stage in his career.

Is Kirilenko worth signing?

Well, that all depends on your expectations. He can be a good role player on a contending team. He helps out in enough areas and has enough length on defense to be able to help out in multiple areas at any given time.

Kirilenko's play has always been overshadowed by his former contract, which expected him to be the Kirilenko of the 2003-2004 season and not a role player.

But if you look at Kirilenko as a role player, he can actually be a nice asset to have. And it's pretty clear by now it's not like he's going to get top dollar as a free agent.

What it means is that one team may get a bargain on Kirilenko if he is undervalued.