Report: 76ers ask reluctant Andrei Kirilenko to report to team
The Philadelphia 76ers have requested that forward Andrei Kirilenko reports to the team and starts preparing to play in games, reports Yahoo Sports.
Kirilenko and his representatives want the Sixers to waive him and let him become a free agent, according to the report.
Philadelphia traded for the 33-year-old on Dec. 11 after he played seven games for the Brooklyn Nets this season. According to Yahoo, he has been reluctant to be a part of the 76ers rebuilding efforts, and wants to collect the $3.3 million he is owed this season and be free to sign with another team.
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From Yahoo Sports:
The Sixers want Kirilenko to start working his way back into playing condition and eventually be activated to play in games. Ultimately, this could set up the opportunity for Philadelphia to deal Kirilenko for an asset at the NBA’s February trade deadline, or let him reclaim his market value for free agency this summer. Nevertheless, it is unlikely the Sixers would keep Kirilenko past the trade deadline – either hunting down a way to deal him for an asset, or simply waiving him.
Kirilenko has not left the New York area since being traded to due a family medical issue, which is also part of the reason he does not want to play in Philadelphia, according to the report.
Last season, Kirilenko averaged 5.0 points and 3.2 rebounds in 45 games with the Nets.
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