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Kirilenko, the former Utah Jazz standout, kept gushing, about his health, Shved and the offense run by Wolves coach Rick Adelman. "I think Minnesota is ready to take a step and make the playoffs,'' he said. Of Adelman, he said: "I know Rick from back in Sacramento. They had a great, great team at the time. For me, it looks like European flavoring ... a lot of European guys, a lot of guys who can run the floor, and Alexey is another big plus.'' Minneapolis Star-Tribune

Minnesota Timberwolves, Andrei Kirilenko 

Kirilenko's presence in Minnesota will make him comfortable, too. "I know one Russian player is coming over, my friend, which is very nice for me,'' Shved said. "It's my first year, he can help me.'' Shved threw no-look passes, alley-oops and even one between-the-legs bounce pass. Asked to evaluate Shved, Kirilenko said: "You see him tonight? It's a process. I can't tell you how he's going to adjust to the NBA, because it takes time. I know myself, when I was young, I went through those steps. But as long as he puts himself into the work, he's going to be great. He's got all the tools.'' Minneapolis Star-Tribune

Minnesota Timberwolves, Andrei Kirilenko, Olympics, Alexey Shved 

Oscar Cuesta: #JJOOMas Kirilenko's 35 points are the 2nd highest scoring made by a Russian-born player behind Aleksandr Belov's 37 (09/01/1972 vs PUR). Twitter

Minnesota Timberwolves, Andrei Kirilenko, Russia, Olympics 

The 31-year-old Kirilenko had developed a history of injuries during his 10-year NBA career with the Utah Jazz, but now he looked renewed. "I feel great,'' he said. "I'm running like a young deer.'' SI.com

Minnesota Timberwolves, Andrei Kirilenko, Russia, Olympics 

Marc Stein: Russia coach David Blatt on Kirilenko & Shved vs. Team GB: "If I'm the Minnesota Timberwolves ... I've got a big, fat smile on my face." Twitter

Minnesota Timberwolves, Andrei Kirilenko, Russia, Olympics, David Blatt, Alexey Shved 

What may have been left unsaid is the Nets continued interest in at AK-47. Kirilenko has a player option next July and if he opts out, expect the Nets to be interested once again. The front office, aided by ownership, has already made three attempts at Kirilenko. And next off-season, they could offer the then 32-year-old a three-year, $10 million contract. Is that enough? No doubt, we'll see. NetsDaily

Minnesota Timberwolves, Brooklyn Nets, Andrei Kirilenko 

Jerry Zgoda: Kahn said Kirilenko still might have taken pay cut to come to Minnesota and NBA because of tax differences Twitter

Minnesota Timberwolves, Andrei Kirilenko, David Kahn 

Joan Nielsen: The Timberwolves signed Andrei Kirilenko. He'll wear number 47, of course. Will be introduced in Twin Cities after the Olympics. Twitter

Minnesota Timberwolves, Free Agency, Andrei Kirilenko 

"We are pleased that Andrei has decided to resume his NBA career with the Minnesota Timberwolves," said David Kahn, Timberwolves President of Basketball Operations. "Over his time in the NBA he has proven to be one of the best defensive players in the world. His ability to play multiple positions and big-game experience will be wonderful assets to our team. He is coming off an MVP season in Europe, on what many believe was the best team in Europe, CSKA Moscow. We are excited to see him in a Timberwolves uniform and wish him well in the upcoming Olympics, where he will be the star player for the Russian National Team." NBA.com

Minnesota Timberwolves, Andrei Kirilenko, David Kahn 

"I'm excited to be returning to the NBA with the Minnesota Timberwolves," Kirilenko said. "The Wolves have one of the best coaches in the league in Rick Adelman and I feel my game fits in well with his style of play. I also like the talent that Minnesota has on the team with star players like Kevin Love and Ricky Rubio." NBA.com

Minnesota Timberwolves, Andrei Kirilenko 

Adrian Wojnarowski: Three-way Hornets, Suns and Wolves deal finally completed, clearing way for Minny to sign Andrei Kirilenko to 2-year, $20M deal. Twitter

Minnesota Timberwolves, Free Agency, Andrei Kirilenko 

"Actually, in the past few weeks I think they've done a great job. I like who we've added with Brandon Roy, with Chase Budinger, with Andrei Kirilenko now — some veteran guys who know how to play," Love said. "It's really going to help us. Now, we just need to get Nikola Pekovic healthy, get Ricky (Rubio) back healthy. If we don't fight the battle of attrition like we did this year, we have a great shot to make the playoffs and get better from there. USA Today

Minnesota Timberwolves, Ricky Rubio, Nikola Pekovic, Andrei Kirilenko, Kevin Love, Brandon Roy, Chase Budinger 

Why did you prefer Minnesota over another NBA club, the Brooklyn Nets, which was also interested? Andrei Kirilenko: Actually, I had not only these two options in the NBA but a lot more. But I don’t think it would be right to discuss them now. I will only say that Timberwolves made a very good offer. Rush'n Hoops

Minnesota Timberwolves, Brooklyn Nets, Free Agency, Andrei Kirilenko 

A few days ago another Russian player Alexey Shved has signed with Minnesota. Did it have any influence on your decision? Andrei Kirilenko: At the time when he signed, I didn’t think I would end up in Timberwolves at all; I was looking at a lot of options then. But, of course, an opportunity to become teammates with Shved was a plus for Minnesota. Rush'n Hoops

Minnesota Timberwolves, Brooklyn Nets, Free Agency, Andrei Kirilenko, Alexey Shved 

There will be at least four European players on T’Wolves’ roster, and five foreigners. Is it a good thing or not? Andrei Kirilenko: It’s great when a lot of players are familiar with European style of basketball, because the level of basketball IQ in it is higher. Rush'n Hoops

Minnesota Timberwolves, Free Agency, Andrei Kirilenko 

The Minnesota Timberwolves are finalizing a two-year, $20 million contract with free-agent forward Andrei Kirilenko after helping facilitate a three-team trade that sent Phoenix’s Robin Lopez and Hakim Warrick to the New Orleans Hornets, league sources told Yahoo! Sports. Lopez agreed to a three-year, $15.3 million contract in a sign-and-trade agreement with the Hornets, league sources told Y! Sports. Yahoo! Sports

Minnesota Timberwolves, New Orleans Hornets, Phoenix Suns, Free Agency, Trade, Hakim Warrick, Andrei Kirilenko, Robin Lopez 

The second year of Kirilenko's contract will be a player option. Yahoo! Sports

Minnesota Timberwolves, Free Agency, Andrei Kirilenko 

Paul Coro: If the trade doesn't happen, MIN stands to lose Kirilenko. NO wouldn't have a center. PHX would just keep Lopez on the $4M qualifying offer. Twitter

Minnesota Timberwolves, New Orleans Hornets, Phoenix Suns, Free Agency, Trade, Andrei Kirilenko, Robin Lopez 

Darren Wolfson: Lots of questions. Let me clarify: Roy, AK-47, & Stiemsma are in w/ verbal agreements. I'm referencing tiny shot of one other move. #twolves Twitter

Minnesota Timberwolves, Andrei Kirilenko, Brandon Roy, Greg Stiemsma 

Adrian Wojnarowski: Minnesota is finalizing a two-year, $20 million contract with free agent forward Andrei Kirilenko, league sources tell Y! Sports. Twitter

Minnesota Timberwolves, Free Agency, Andrei Kirilenko