Free Agency 2013: Spurs No Longer Targeting Andrei Kirilenko

By Michael Rehome
facebooktwitterreddit

Apr 13, 2013; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves small forward Andrei Kirilenko (47) reacts after a call during the third quarter against the Phoenix Suns at the Target Center. Timberwolves won 105-93. Mandatory Credit: Greg Smith-USA TODAY Sports

The San Antonio Spurs signing of Jeff Pendergraph maybe the last of their free agency signing, according to Jeff McDonald of the San Antonio Express-News.

Having agreed to two deals earlier in the week with Manu Ginobili (2-years, $14 million) and center Tiago Splitter (4-years, $36 million) and also coming to terms with free agent Marco Belinelli (2-years, $6 million), McDonald states that most of the off-season is pretty much done for San Antonio.

He goes on to state that the Spurs roster has 14 commitments already with the latest of Belinelli and Pendergragph for next season.  With that being said, San Antonio was targeting free agent Andrei Kirilenko.  He [Kirilenko] opted out of a $10.2 million contract to  pursue for a longer deal with another team.

per McDonald:

With most of their free-agent budget committed elsewhere, the Spurs are no longer considered a viable suitor for free-agent small forward Andrei Kirilenko, who opted out of $10.2 million in Minnesota to pursue a longer deal with another team.

There is a possibility the Spurs could still shake loose some salary cap space, but that scenario — which would involve the team exercising its amnesty provision on the $3.94 million owed Matt Bonner — appears remote at this point.

Signing Pendergraph is likely to be a replacement to DeJuan Blair whom is not expected to re-sign with San Antonio after spending the first four seasons with the Spurs.

facebooktwitterreddit