The Nets have dominated the NBA headlines again tonight, this time coming to an agreement with free agent Andrei Kirilenko on what seems to be a very team-friendly two-year deal. Let's take a look at what we're hearing about that deal as well as everything else going on in the Atlantic division here:
- Given their cap situation, Kirilenko figures to cost the Nets much more than the $3.1MM he signed for this season when you consider the luxury tax. Ken Berger of CBS Sports estimates, via Twitter, the total cost to the Nets at about $15MM, further drilling home the notion that Brooklyn is going all in on the 2013/14 season.
- David Aldridge of NBA.com writes that Kirilenko wanted to play for a contender and was concerned that potential sign-and-trades with other good teams might not work out, leading to his deal with the Nets.
- Despite Aldridge's explanation, Grantland's Zach Lowe tweets that the Kirilenko deal is already "drawing confused and angry whispers" from the around the league.
- With the Knicks deal for Andrea Bargnani finalized yesterday, GM Glen Grunwald explains why he agreed to include a first round pick in the deal for the sharp-shooting Italian, per Ian Begley at ESPN New York. Begley also writes that Bargnani is eager for a fresh start with the contending Knicks.
- Purdue assistant Micah Shrewsberry will join the Celtics coaching staff, reports Baxter Holmes of the Boston Globe (via Twitter). Shrewsberry was an assistant at Butler under new C's coach Brad Stevens. Citing NBA sources, Holmes also tweets that the next hire for the Boston staff will probably have considerable NBA experience, with former Bulls assistant Ron Adams being a top target.