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MINNEAPOLIS -- Andrei Kirilenko is opting out of the final year of a contract that would have paid him $10 million next season with the Minnesota Timberwolves, making him a free agent. Kirilenko made the decision on Saturday, the deadline that was written into the two-year, $20 million deal he signed last summer, a person with knowledge of the situation told The Associated Press. The person requested anonymity because an official announcement has not been made. In turning down the final year of his contract with the Timberwolves, Kirilenko is instead hoping to get a little extra security with a longer term deal when the market opens at 12:01 a.m. Eastern on July 1. The versatile forward is coming off a rejuvenating year in which he averaged 12.4 points, 5.7 rebounds and 1.5 steals per game for the Wolves, his best season in the league since 2005-06. The 32-year-old had more spring in his step after spending the lockout year playing at home in Russia, and he flourished in Rick Adelmans free-flowing system. But Kirilenko also missed 18 games with assorted injuries, one of a number of Timberwolves players who missed significant time last season, the ninth straight year they have missed the playoffs. Kirilenko was largely responsible for the Wolves dramatic improvement on the defensive end, with Adelman enjoying the luxury of being able to put him on every position besides centre, depending on who was the biggest threat on a given night. His ability to pass and move without the ball also made him ideal for Adelmans offence, and the veteran was superb in helping fellow Russian Alexey Shved make the transition to Minnesota for his rookie season last year. New Timberwolves President Flip Saunders started getting an inclination that Kirilenko could opt out at least a week ago, and he made some plans for such a scenario. The Wolves acquired swingman Shabazz Muhammad in a draft-night deal with the Utah Jazz on Thursday night in part to give them some depth at small forward. They also have Derrick Williams on the roster, though he has shown in his first two seasons to be a more natural fit at power forward and could be on the move himself. The Wolves could try to negotiate a longer term deal -- perhaps two or three years -- at a reduced salary to bring Kirilenko back. Or they could use the $10 million theyre saving on his contract to help pay restricted free agent centre Nikola Pekovic, who is expected to get a significant offer on the open market that the Wolves will have the option of matching, and add a veteran shooting guard to a team that finished last in the league in 3-point shooting last season. Kirilenkos decision could leave the Wolves with about $7 million to spend on free agents. O.J. Mayo, Kyle Korver, Kevin Martin, J.J. Redick and Marco Bellinelli all could be free agent targets for the Wolves. They also want to re-sign unrestricted free agent forward Chase Budinger, who would help fill in for Kirilenko. If Kirilenko does go elsewhere, he will undoubtedly be a sought-after veteran. He proved last season that he still had plenty of good basketball left in him after four years of declining production led to his decision to play 2011-12 in Russia. And any team looking for a lockdown defender and willing passer to help make a playoff push could jump at the chance to bring him into the mix.Roquan Smith Youth Jersey . -- Team after team passed on Andre Ellington in the draft. Devin Hester Jersey . LOUIS -- Cardinals cleanup hitter Allen Craig says hes recovered from a foot injury and ready to be put on St. http://www.bearsfootballpro.com/Authentic_Gale-Sayers_Bears_Jersey/ .com) - Rafael Nadal, Andy Murray and Roger Federer were easy first-round winners Tuesday at the Australian Open. Tarik Cohen Jersey . 24 Baylor in a Big 12 clash between teams trending in opposite directions. Andrew Wiggins made 10-of-12 from the foul line and scored 17 for Kansas (14-4, 5-0 Big 12), which capped a stretch of four straight games against ranked opponents unscathed. Mike Ditka Jersey . In what the team had called a retirement, Ryan said Thursday that he is resigning as chief executive of the Rangers in a move effective at the end of this month.Chris Paul is staying with the Los Angeles Clippers. The All-Star point guard agreed to a new deal on the first day free agency opened, agent Leon Rose confirmed. Paul posted a message on his Twitter account Monday morning, saying "IM IN!!!" .CLIPPERNATION Paul led the Clippers to their first Pacific Division title last season and his decision to stay is the second big victory for the longtime losers in this off-season, following the signing of Doc Rivers as their new coach. The deal is worth $107 million over five years. The deal cant be signed until July 10, after next seasons salary cap is set. The two-time Olympic gold medallist has helped turn around the Clippers franchise in two seasons since coming in a trade from the New Orleans Hornets. They made the playoffs in both seasons, advancing to the second round in 2012, and went 56-26 this season, the best record in their history. Paul averaged 16.9 points, 9.7 assists and an NBA-best 2.4 steals per game. He was the Western Conference player of the month in December, when the Clippers went 16-0. Paul sspent his first six seasons with the Hornets before he was dealt to the Clippers, shortly after the NBA, then serving as owners of the Hornets, stopped a trade that would have sent him instead to the Lakers.dddddddddddd That decision has paid off big for the Clippers, long the second-class citizens in Los Angeles but the team that played a much more exciting style and had much better results than the Lakers last season. They fired Vinny Del Negro even after their 2012-13 success but landed one of the NBAs marquee coaches in Rivers, who led the Boston Celtics to the 2008 NBA championship. Now they are holding onto perhaps the leagues best point guard. Paul missed 12 games with a bruised right kneecap and played a career-low 33.4 minutes per game, and still was second in the league in assists and first in assist-to-turnover ratio. He was MVP of the All-Star game and finished fourth in voting for the regular-season award. The Wake Forest product is also one of the leagues most popular players, serving as an executive on the NBA players association. ' ' '