Kirilenko, Anyone?

Whilst we're discussing our power forward situation (Shareef has tied up Justin Williams in the poll, somewhat suprisingly), we might as well mention Andrei Kirilenko's trade request.

The problem for AK-47 (and the Jazz) is that he's rather untradeable -- as in, there's no real salary match any team would be willing to give up for him. As for as the Kings go, Kirilenko's contract goes one year past those of Brad Miller, Kenny Thomas and Shareef Abdur-Rahim. AK'd certainly be a talent upgrade -- but I can't imagine Utah not getting a starting-level small forward in return. Unless you think Jerry Sloan's in the market for Ron Artest or John Salmons, a straight-up trade wouldn't make sense.

Would acquiring Kirilenko even make sense for the Kings? He's an all-World talent when he's right (see: Eurobasket this summer). But he's a damn expensive talent, and if you aren't contending you're really stressing your cap number with a dude that rich. In 2010/2011, you'd have Kirilenko and Kevin Martin making about $27 million between them. I think they'd be an awesome fit together... but I'm not sure that combo and a set of roleplayers (or maybe one other star-level player) take you to the promised land.

Salmons and KT (woof!) for AK works under the cap, but it won't work for Utah. I don't think you can part with Francisco Garcia while Artest's status is uncertain. I'm not sure Quincy Douby is enough of a sweetener for Utah. Kevin O'Connor would love the cap relief (Thomas comes off at least a year earlier than AK; Salmons makes only $5.8 million in 2011). But you don't trade an expensive All-Star for nothing (unless he's visiting strip clubs during bereavement leave, I guess). Brad Miller would be wasted in Utah; ditto Shareef or any other serviceable power forward. (That's the problem for AK, actually.) Martin's untouchable, Utah doesn't need Bibby and would've pursued Mikki Moore on its own if it wanted him. I see no combination of Kings which gets a phone call started. (And again, I'm not sure how necessary AK is in Sacramento.)

Do three-way possibilities exist? AK and Bibby are salary matches, and Bibby is wanted by at least Cleveland. What would Utah get in the exchange? A re-signed Sasha Pavlovic and what else? Could the Warriors get involved with their trade exception and/or Mickael Pietrus (who seems like a Sloan guy)? (Golden State doesn't want to take salary back, though.) It will be damn near impossible to get anything to work. AK seems like a Geoff Petrie project... but the logistics just don't square. Unless Utah wants Artest. Which I doubt.