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Could Former Utah Jazz Stars Come Home Again?

By Ryan Aston

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November 13, 2014; Oakland, CA, USA; Brooklyn Nets forward Andrei Kirilenko (47) controls the basketball against Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) during the first quarter at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Last Thursday, in a move that warmed the collective hearts of sentimental NBA fans everywhere, Kevin Garnett waived his no-trade clause and enabled a move back to the Minnesota Timberwolves.

As we all know, the Wolves are the team that drafted Garnett way back in 1995 and the club with whom he spent his first 12 seasons in the league. Now, having captured that elusive championship with the Boston Celtics in 2008, Garnett finds himself home again to help guide and foster the growth of Minnesota’s young roster.

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The situation with KG makes this old Jazz fan wonder—are there a couple of former Utah Jazz stars out there that could do the same thing?

Following their moves at the trade deadline, the Philadelphia 76ers waived former Jazz forward Andrei Kirilenko. Philadelphia had acquired Kirilenko in a trade with the Brooklyn Nets earlier this season. However, Kirilenko had no desire to suit up for the Sixers and the team was apparently willing to release him. Unfortunately for AK-47, Philly GM Sam Hinkie reneged on his agreement to do so, wanting to keep him as a potential trade piece instead.

With Philadelphia unable to include Kirilenko in any of their moves and having since released the former All-Star, many are enamored with the possibility of reacquiring the Russian forward. The Jazz need help on the wings, as well as in the frontcourt and before Brooklyn sent him to the 76ers, ESPN’s Marc Stein opined that Utah could be a landing spot for AK:

Kirilenko may ultimately decide to head back to Europe or resume his NBA career elsewhere. Still, his potential return remains a tantalizing prospect for many.

With Alec Burks out for the season and Rodney Hood in and out of the lineup, Utah’s wing depth has suffered. Moreover, with big men Enes Kanter and Steve Novak now members of the Oklahoma City Thunder, the team’s frontcourt brigade has been thinned. The multi-talented Kirilenko could be just what the doctor ordered to shore up those rotations.

Another interesting scenario is the potential return of former franchise point-man Deron Williams. The team currently has Trey Burke playing the role of a scoring point guard off the bench, but if that doesn’t pan out, it’s a role that could be perfectly suited for D-Will a couple of years down the line.

For his part, Williams has maintained close ties to the community despite his move to the Nets. He even went so far as to tell the New York Post that he prefers living in Utah to his current digs:

"“Truth is, we enjoy getting away from the hustle and bustle and going back to Utah every summer. It’s a relief to take that timeout. No traffic. No crowds. My daughters still have their friends there. There’s a big backyard. They go to the pool, the playground, and they jump on the trampoline. Kids running wild and free here…? I don’t think so.”"

Obviously, there is some treacherous water under the bridge as relates to Williams returning to the franchise that selected him third overall in the 2005 NBA Draft, but I for one have a green No. 8 jersey still hanging in my closet that is simply dying to make a comeback.

Feb 19, 2014; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Brooklyn Nets point guard Deron Williams (8) reacts during the first half against the Utah Jazz at EnergySolutions Arena. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports

Like him or not, there is no disputing the fact that Williams is a better shooter and playmaker than Burke. I can see him getting big minutes for the Jazz backing up both guard spots and providing mentorship to Dante Exum as he grows into his role as the team’s PG of the future.

It may or may not be in the team’s plans, but from where this intrepid blogger sits, Williams and Kirilenko donning Jazz blue once again could be a boon for the team, its depth and the developing core.

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