Andrei Kirilenko Finalizing Deal With Timberwolves, According To Report

Andrei Kirilenko Finalizing 2-Year, $20 Million Contract With Timberwolves, According To Report

The Minnesota Timberwolves are finalizing a two-year contract with Andrei Kirilenko, according to a report.

Timberwolves Helping Facilitate Robin Lopez Trade In Effort To Sign Andrei Kirilenko

The NBA's biggest free agents are off the market already, but there are still some moving pieces out there that should allow the next couple of weeks to remain interesting. The rumors that made their rounds on Tuesday make it seem that way, anyway, as reports surfaced regarding a three-way trade between the Phoenix Suns, New Orleans Hornets and Minnesota Timberwolves.

The main reason for the trade seems to be the Hornets acquiring Robin Lopez in a sign-and-trade deal, but the bigger move would seem to be the Timberwolves throwing in former fourth overall pick Wesley Johnson and a lottery-protected first-round pick in order to clear cap space, according to Yahoo! Sports' Adrian Wojnarowski.

That seems like a pretty big risk at this point in the offseason to simply clear cap space, but it comes with a solid caveat as that cap space is expected to allow the team to sign Russian forward Andrei Kirilenko. The 31-year-old is under contract with CSKA Moscow at the time, but the former Utah Jazz standout apparently has a small enough buyout that the Wolves have interest in pursuing him.

For more on the Timberwolves, be sure to visit Canis Hoopus and SB Nation Minnesota. For more on the Suns, check out Bright Side of the Sun and SB Nation Arizona. SB Nation's Hornets blog is housed over at At The Hive.