Hello and welcome to the Evening News.
As the offseason continues, we’ll keep you updated every night.
What’s happening today?
Andrei Kirilenko adresses conspiracy theorists
When Andrei Kirilenko opted out of a $10 million player option with Minnesota for next season, many suspected he would look for a long term deal for a similar annual figure elsewhere. 
As it turned out, Kirilenko left millions on the table as he signed a two year deal with the Nets worth just over $3 million annually (the second year is on a player option.) The massive paycut left executives and fans around the league wondering if Kirilenko signed with the Nets under the condition that Russian owner Mikhail Prokhorov would compensate the Russian star with more money under the table.
Today, Kirilenko talked to the New York Daily News’ Stefan Bondy and addressed the people who suspected play:
“I opted out not because I wanted to sign with the Nets. At that time, I wanted to be in Minnesota for a long time. But there was a change in Minnesota. I respect Flip Saunders decision, but he decided not to sign me for a long time. I can’t do anything about that . . . I can’t do anything with what people think. I’m coming from the facts. I can’t change it. I can’t control it. …Those type of rumors I can’t control. And I guess it comes from the history because of the Russian KGB. It makes it a little funny. What can I do?”
Asked about his relationship to Prokhorov, Kirilenko responded:
“When he finally got the team, I was very happy that finally a Russian owner has a team in the NBA. It’s a great platform. It’s a great improvement for the Russian basketball at that point. I was in Utah, I was thinking it was great, especially in New York, with the Russian community. I had those thoughts that one day I would be with the Nets.”
Kirilenko added that the large Russian population in Brooklyn was a huge motivator in his decision to join the Nets:
“[The Russian population] is a huge factor. It’s kind of reminding me of playing home. I played the lockout year in Moscow. There’s Russian fans, everybody speaks Russian. It makes you feel like you’re home. It’s nothing against America. But it’s like it makes you feel like you’re at home. Definitely we wanted to try New York for a long time but I’ve never been in that situation. And right now it’s a great situation to try it.”
Several teams interested in Jamison
According to DeAntae Prince of Sporting News, Antawn Jamison is receiving interest as a free agent from several teams. 
Coming off a disappointing season with the Lakers, Jamison plans to be more cautious in choosing where to play next:
“I think last year, getting the opportunity to play for the Lakers and their organization, I really jumped into it,” Jamison said. “Didn’t really view my options, but this year I really want to make sure I’m going to the right situation, where I have a good rapport with the coaching staff and also with management I’m able to communicate and get an understanding of what they want from me.
“Because it looks good on paper doesn’t mean it’s the perfect fit, so I really want to make sure the next team I go to, whether it’s a one- or two-year deal, that it’s a really good fit and we have a understanding with each other as well. That’s why you really have to take your time and key into what’s best not just for me but for my family as well.”
According to reports, Jamison’s agent has been contacted by the Chicago Bulls, Los Angeles Clippers, Memphis Grizzlies, and Charlotte Bobcats. While Jamison publicly said in January of 2012 that he wanted to retire in his home state of Charlotte, he appears even more interested in the idea of playing for a title contender next season:
“I made the money, accomplished a lot of things individually,” Jamison said. “I have a couple years left where I can compete night in and night out and really have an opportunity to enjoy basketball and not dealing with losses and other nonsense. I just want to have fun and be a part of something special.”
