Kirilenko worked with the starters during Saturday's practice session, Newsday's Rod Boone reports. It was reported Friday that Joe Johnson would open camp as the Nets' starting small forward, but it was Kirilenko who got the nod Saturday, so it would appear there remains some uncertainty about exactly who will make up the Nets' starting five.

Andrei Kirilenko stated in a recent interview that the Nets goal for next season is to win a championship. "We intend to seriously compete for the title," said Kirilenko. He also took a subtle jab at Jason Kidd stating: "When Kidd led the team, no one knew what to expect from him. It is clear that he had huge experience as a player, but there was no coaching experience. No one knows how we will sparkle with Lionel. Maybe it's better. Maybe worse. But we do know one thing - Hollins, unlike Kidd, has vast experience of coaching. And he perfectly represents what we need to do and how to build a team game."

Andrei Kirilenko has officially opted in to the second year of his two-year deal with Brooklyn, per source. The deal is worth $3.3 million, and Kirilenko will remain stateside for the 2014-15 season. Kirilenko averaged career-lows across the board last season with just 5.0 points, 3.2 rebounds, 0.9 steals, and 0.4 blocks. He also only managed to get through 45 games as he dealt with various injuries throughout the year. In terms of fantasy, Kirilenko is far too risky to be considered a viable option.

Andrei Kirilenko is likely to opt in to the second year of his player contract, according to Nets Daily. The Nets gave him a mini mid-level exception last year and he has a player option worth $3.3 million. Kirilenko is still getting offers overseas and could wind up opting out. The Nets didn't get what they bargained for with AK-47 only playing in 45 games at 19.0 minutes per outing, so hopefully it works out better in 2014-15.

Andrei Kirilenko has not ruled out playing overseas next season. Kirilenko still has a $3M player option with the Nets, so barring a trade it is up to him whether he remains in Brooklyn. During the 2011-2012 lockout-shortened season he played in his native Russia with CSKA Mowscow, but returned to the NBA the following year. In only 45 games played all season, he averaged career-lows with 5.0 points and 3.2 rebounds in 19.0 minutes of action.

Andrei Kirilenko played 20 minutes and had four points, three rebounds, one assist and four steals on 2-of-3 shooting in Tuesday's Game 2 loss. He didn't even get off the bench in Game 1, so tonight's performance was clearly an improvement. Mason Plumlee also came off the bench for four points, six rebounds, two steals and two blocks in the loss.

Andrei Kirilenko said that he was "a little bit surprised" about his DNP-CD in Game 1 on Saturday, but he supported coach Jason Kidd's rotation. "When I watched the game everybody played so well," Kirilenko said. "I didn't even see a position for me to fill-in ... Coach, I think, made the right decision. I want to play, but it's all right." Alan Anderson poached Kirilenko's playing time but Kidd said his rotations could change on a game-by-game basis, so AK may return to action in Game 2.

Andrei Kirilenko didn't play for the Nets in Saturday's Game 1 win, but isn't injured. He's just out of the rotation, according to coach Jason Kidd. If you grabbed AK-47 in a playoff league and have waiver moves available, dropping him for an Atlanta Hawk makes sense.

Andrei Kirilenko never left the Nets' bench during Saturday's Game 1 victory. Jason Kidd used a true 10-man rotation with Marcus Thornton, Alan Anderson, Mirza Teletovic, Mason Plumlee and Andray Blatche as his second unit. That makes Kirilenko's absence even more conspicuous, and he'd averaged 26 minutes over the final five games of the regular season with Brooklyn resting regular starters for the playoffs. The Nets won on the road on Saturday so there's a good chance AK will be rooted to the bench again on Tuesday.

Andrei Kirilenko will start vs. the Hawks on Friday. He's not exactly a minutes monster and coach Jason Kidd probably shouldn't give him much playing time as a precautionary measure. With Shaun Livingston (toe) and Alan Anderson (abdominal) out, Marcus Thornton is probably the big winner of all these inactives on the wing.