This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2010, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
A complex four-team trade involving Utah Jazz forward Andrei Kirilenko was in a holding pattern Saturday night, multiple sources told The Salt Lake Tribune.
A deal centered around Denver forward Carmelo Anthony being traded to New Jersey had moved forward far enough that Anthony was presented with the trade and asked to approve it. But the All-Star was still being sold on the idea of signing a three-year, $65 million contract extension and joining a young, rebuilding New Jersey team.
Meanwhile, the teams involved — Utah, Denver, Charlotte and the Nets — were still engaged in talks that would have a variety of well- and lesser-known players, as well as draft picks, potentially being moved around.
While Anthony weighed his decision, the Nuggets were also reportedly reluctant to OK the trade, hoping to obtain more for Anthony than Kirilenko, rookie forward Derrick Favors and draft picks.
The Jazz are expected to trade Kirilenko and his $17.8 million expiring contract to Denver if the deal goes through. In return, Utah would likely receive the Bobcats' Boris Diaw and New Jersey's Quinton Ross.
The Jazz's primary reason for making the move would be shedding salary. Utah will likely have a roster worth about $75 million when training camp starts Tuesday if the team does not deal Kirilenko, severely limiting Utah's ability to make moves during the season.
Elsewhere, center Kyrylo Fesenko spent Saturday debating whether he will re-sign with the Jazz. Fesenko postponed his decision in the hope that Houston would come through at the last minute with a multi-year deal. But the Rockets were holding off until free-agent veteran center Erick Dampier chose a new destination.
If Houston tenders Fesenko an offer sheet, the Jazz will have seven days to match it. But if the Rockets had not come through by late Saturday evening, it is expected that Fesenko will soon accept a one-year, $1 million qualifying offer from Utah that has been on the table since July 1.
bsmith@sltrib.com Twitter: tribjazz