When the NBA lockout began, few players had a more natural fit with a European club than Andrei Kirilenko and CSKA Moscow, a powerhouse club in his native Russia that he'd played for before joining the NBA in 2001. As a free agent, Kirilenko did not have to include an NBA opt clause in his contract with Moscow ... but he did to give himself the option to return to the States.
He hasn't yet exercised that right, as he currently remains with CSKA as NBA teams make pitches. Perhaps the most aggressive of those teams is the Sacramento Kings. Jason Jones of the Sacramento Bee reports that the Kings, who have plenty of cap space left over after re-signing Marcus Thornton and landing Chuck Hayes, are among the teams interested.
The Kings added Hayes at power forward and traded for John Salmons to fill the small forward spot in June, but Kirilenko could be a valuable piece at either position. Salmons can also play shooting guard (where Thornton is slotted as the starter), and Hayes has experience at center.
For more on the Kings, visit Sactown Royalty.
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