Brooklyn Nets Roster & Trade Rumors: Andrei Kirilenko Heading to the Sixers?

Andrei Kirilenko may be bound for Philadelphia.

In a report by ESPN, the Brooklyn Nets and Philadelphia 76ers are discussing a trade that will allow the Nets to let go of Andrei Kirilenko. According to ESPN insiders, the veteran forward together with Sergey Karasev will most likely be sent to Philadelphia, plus cash or a draft pick. In return, the 76ers only need to send a second-round pick to Brooklyn.

Philadelphia can reportedly afford such contracts, considering that it is $25 million below the salary cap. It is also possible for the 76ers to waive Kirilenko if the deal pushes through, opening more opportunities for him to transfer to a more competitive team.

Yahoo! Sports reported that when Kirilenko previously accepted a significantly lower salary to join the Brooklyn Nets from the Minnesota Timberwolves, many speculated that there might have been other secret incentives added. He is already in the last year of his two-year deal with the Nets. During the offseason, he opted into the second year.

So far, Kirilenko has been a very dispensable part of the Brooklyn Nets. A report by NY Post revealed that he completely sat out during the game against the Miami Heat on November 17, 2014. Kirilenko was not with the Nets during their road trip for two games against OKC and San Antonio because of personal reasons. Since the Nets' last two games, Kirilenko was listed as inactive and has not played since November 13.

He said in an ESPN report, "It is tough, but there's not much I can do," Kirilenko said recently. "It is what it is. I like our system, and I like our coach. I spoke with the coach. Obviously, I know he sees things a little different -- and he's been honest about it. I really appreciate it, but it doesn't make things better."

Kirilenko previously suffered from back spasms, letting him miss a lot of games in the past season. In the past seven games he has played so far, he only managed three points in a span of 35 minutes total.

When he was questioned how he planned to get back into the rotation, subject to coach Lionel Hollins' approval, Kirilenko said, "I have no idea."

Andrei does have one final resort if things continue to turn for the worse in the NBA. In the same ESPN report, his wife shared on Instagram that she looked forward to Andrei finishing his basketball career with CSKA Moscow in Russia, which is also owned by Nets owner Mikhail Prokhorov.