NBA: Three-team deal gives T'Wolves cap space to bring in Andrei Kirilenko

The Minnesota Timberwolves, the Phoenix Suns, and the New Orleans Hornets have agreed to a three-team deal, with the T'Wolves participating to clear salary cap space in order to bring back Russian standout Andrei Kirilenko, sources told Yahoo Sports' Adrian Wojnarowski. The New Orleans Hornets bolster their front court with the addition of Phoenix Suns' center Robin Lopez, who was re-signed to a three year, $15.3 million deal before being dealt, and power forward Hakim Warrick. Phoenix in exchange, got 2010 fourth overall pick Wesley Johnson and the contract of retiring center Brad Miller, plus a lottery-protected first round pick, all from Minnesota. For their help in facilitating the deal, the Timberwolves landed the unguaranteed contract of Jerome Dyson and two future second round picks. But in dealing Miller and Johnson, Minnesota cleared enough cap room to offer free agent forward Andrei Kirilenko a two-year, $20 million dollar deal, with the second year being a player option. Kirilenko opted to sign with CSKA Moscow during last year's NBA lockout, staying with the team instead of coming back when the dispute was resolved. The move also allowed Minnesota to sign another Russian player, combo guard Alexey Shved, also of CSKA Moscow, to a three-year, $10 million contract. Lopez normed 5.4 points, 3.3 rebounds and 0.9 blocks last season with the Suns, and is expected to back-up this season's overall number one draft pick Anthony Davis. Warrick (6.4 points, 2.6 rebounds last season) on the other hand can be an effective energy player off the bench, possibly backing up another sign-and-trade acquisition, reigning Most Improved Player Ryan Anderson. Johnson so far has disappointed in his two seasons in the NBA, averaging 6.0 points, 2.7 rebounds and 0.9 assists in 65 games last season with Minnesota. The Suns no doubt hope that the change of scenery will reinvigorate him, as he joins a revamped Phoenix line-up. Kirilenko was a former NBA All-Star and a member of the 2006 All-Defensive First Team, last norming 11.7 points, 5.1 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.3 steals and 1.2 blocks with the Utah Jazz, but his numbers exploded to 24.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 1.5 steals and 1.9 blocks in 17 Euroleague games, where he was named 2012 MVP. His teammate Shved on the other hand, normed 10.6 points and 3.0 assists in the Euroleague. - AMD, GMA News