Nets' Andrei Kirilenko returns to practice, won't travel with team
Brooklyn Nets forward Andrei Kirilenko returned to practice on Monday but said he likely will not travel with the team until a family issue is resolved, The Record's Andy Vasquez reports.
Kirilenko, who has not played since Nov. 13, said the issue involves his wife, and he does not expect it to change until at least early February.
The 33-year-old has been the subject of trade rumors during his leave from the team, with the Cleveland Cavaliers, Los Angeles Lakers and Philadelphia 76ers all reportedly interested in acquiring him. Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports reported a trade is unlikely until after his personal issue is resolved.
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In his second year with the Nets, Kirilenko played sparingly during seven games this season, averaging 0.4 points and 1.1 rebounds in 5.1 minutes per game. He admitted to being unsure about how to break into coach Lionel Hollins' rotation, The New York Post's Tim Bontemps reports.
When asked if he was healthy, Kirilenko said: “I feel fine.”
When asked what he thought he had to do in order to get back into Hollins’ rotation, he admitted: “I have no idea.”
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Kirilenko is in his 13th NBA season and has career averages of 11.8 points, 5.5 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.8 blocks and 1.4 steals.
The Nets have started the season 6-9 and are in second place in the Atlantic Division. They play at the New York Knicks on Tuesday.
- Paul Palladino
