Timberwolves forward Andrei Kirilenko won’t likely return to Minnesota next season, according to an Associated Press source.
Saturday was the deadline for Kirilenko to decide whether he would accept a one-year contract worth $10.2 million with the Wolves or become a free agent.
AP Source: Kirilenko opts out of deal with #TWolves. Will become a free agent. @DarrenWolfson also reporting news
— Jon Krawczynski (@JonKrawczynski) June 29, 2013
Wolves definitely expected Kirilenko to opt out. Not a surprise. But they've got some work to do to fill his void.
— Jon Krawczynski (@JonKrawczynski) June 29, 2013
@APkrawczynski reporting AK 47, as expected, opts out. Means Wolves could have as much as $7 million to spend on FA market.
— Dan Barreiro (@DanBarreiroKFAN) June 29, 2013
An Associated Press report said Kirilenko averaged 12.4 points, 5.7 rebounds and 1.5 steals per game last year, his best season in the league since 2005-06.
Minnesota could still go after Kirilenko, who is free to sign with any team when free agency begins Sunday, the Pioneer Press reports.
The Wolves drafted Shabazz Muhammad and Gorgui Dieng this week and made an offer to free agent center Nikola Pekovic Friday.
