Andrei Kirilenko and the Brooklyn Nets Agree to Two-Year Deal.

Plan A was to bring over Bojan Bogdanovic. Apparently Plan B was to sign Andrei Kirilenko to the mini-MLE for two years. We'll take it.

The news was first reported by Peter Vescey, who tweeted the following.

This just in: Nets have signed. Kirilenko for mini mid-level, 3.1M per
— Peter Vecsey (@PeterVecsey1) July 11, 2013

The second year in Kirilenko's contract will be a player option. Kirilenko spent the first ten years in Utah, played for the Timberwolves last year after the Nets had reported interest in him, and has finally ended up in Brooklyn. Last season, Kirilenko 12.4 points, 5.7 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game in 31.8 minutes. In addition, he converted on over 50% of his field goals. Previously a consistent starter, now he will likely be playing off the bench, behind Paul Pierce or Kevin Garnett, depending on the needs at the team. Versatility is a gift of Andrei Kirilenko, and the slots he fills covers the needs of the Brooklyn Nets.

Whether it was the Russian ties with Mikhail Prokhorov, the fact that Kirilenko has already made over $100 million in his career, or that he feels that he can help take the Nets to the championship, its good to say that he is a Brooklyn Net for a very cheap price.

Or so it seems.

Since the Nets are over the cap, signing Kirilenko, including the luxury tax, will cost around $15 million. When you have an owner like Mikhail Prokhorov, it isn't so significant. Overall, the Nets have committed $184 million to this roster, with the luxury tax taking up over $83 million. At a price that high, anything short of a Finals appearance is a bust.


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