When Andrei Kirilenko opted out of a $10.2 million contract with the Minnesota Timberwolves, the 32-year-old forward did so presumably looking for one last long-term deal of his career. Then the Russian star decided to sign a two-year deal with the Brooklyn Nets that will pay him just over $3 million this season, and the conspiracy theories immediately started. The Nets are owned by Russian billionaire Mikhail Prokhorov, so surely there was some backroom, nudge-nudge agreement for further compensation under the table, right? "No," Kirilenko said Thursday during a conference call. "Those type of rumours I cant control. I guess it comes from the history because of Russia, the KGB. I dont know what to think. I played 12 years in the NBA. It makes it look funny for those type of accusations." Earlier this summer, Prokhorov chalked up the talk to the kind of suspicion that is rooted in cinema and Cold War thinking, not modern reality. "I think old stereotypes, they are very hard to beat and to break," Prokhorov said. "And I want to thank our fans and members of the press, because they have been very quick to support us. And I respect all the NBA rules, and we play by the NBA rules. But I want just to stress once again, like with the luxury tax, I will do whatever I can in order to win championship, but under the NBA rules, please make no mistake about this." Kirilenko said the reason he chose Brooklyn is much simpler. After spending his first 11 seasons in the NBA with the Utah Jazz and Timberwolves, his motivation has changed from making money to chasing championships. "I play in NBA for 12 years and I think there is a time to take a shot to win a title," Kirilenko said. After spending the lockout year playing in Moscow, a rejuvenated Kirilenko averaged 12.4 points, 5.7 rebounds, 1.5 steals and shot 50.7 per cent for the Timberwolves last season. He also helped turn a team that had struggled mightily on defence for years into a respectable unit on that end of the floor. His contributions had team President David Kahn assuring Kirilenko that he would get a new, long-term deal from the Wolves this summer. But Kahn was fired after the season and new team President Flip Saunders wasnt willing to give Kirilenko a three or four-year deal worth more than $30 million, numbers that were discussed during the season. So Kirilenko opted out of the final year of his deal with Minnesota and hit the market. "At that time I was feeling I want to be in Minnesota for a long time," Kirilenko said. "But there were some changes to Minnesota and I really respect Flip Saunders and I respect his decision that he decided not to sign me for a long time. I cant do anything with that. That kind of opened up all my options. I start looking to other teams and start comparing situations to other teams." He had conversations with several teams, and the Timberwolves did offer him a three-year deal that would have paid him $6 million to $7 million annually to anchor the teams defence. But Prokhorov was in the middle of a summer spending spree, swinging a massive trade to land Celtics stars Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett and Jason Terry that would send the Nets luxury tax bill skyrocketing. Its the kind of bold, brash moves that Kirilenko watched Prokhorov pull off when the two were teamed up for Russian powerhouse CSKA Moscow, and he liked what he saw. "Hes always been known as a guy who is really trying to get the result," Kirilenko said. "Hes a competitor and he wants to win. Its always great when your owner is really passionate about basketball." And the Russian roots dont hurt, either. When Prokhorov first bought the Nets, Kirilenko said he envisioned himself one day playing in Brooklyn. He goes to New York, where there is a vibrant Russian community, another big plus for him. "Its a huge part," he said. "Its kind of reminding me that Im playing at home. In the lockout year I played back in Moscow and I feel so great that I had Russian friends and all the fans. Everybody speaks Russian. It makes you feel like you are home." Taking such a big pay cut certainly was a part of the discussions he had with his wife and children about the move. But they looked at living in New York, playing for Prokhorov and playing with a star-studded team that also includes Deron Williams, Brook Lopez and Joe Johnson, and decided they couldnt pass it up. "I understand the money is not that great, is not what I could have made," Kirilenko said. "If you take a look at the situations, 10 years ago, Im not sure I wouldve taken that deal. Right now it was certainly best option possible to take the chance and win the trophy. Im not saying were going to win. ... But for first time in my career Im starting the season when I know we have a chance to win the whole thing." 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METAIRIE, La. - The New Orleans Saints will be without one of their top players on Monday Night Football against the Atlanta Falcons.Left tackle Terron Armstead has been ruled out with an unspecified knee injury after missing practice all week.Saints receiver Willie Snead (toe), defensive end Cameron Jordan (knee) and safety Kenny Vaccaro (ankle) are listed as questionable after practicing on a limited basis Saturday.Armstead has earned a reputation as one of the NFLs top young linemen in recent years, and he signed an extension with $13 million per year this offseason. He played every snap in the Saints first two games, but he had been on the injury report with both knee and quad injuries during those weeks. Its unclear what Armsteads specific ailment is and how long he might be out.The Saints have a few options to replace Armstead, all of which come with some question marks. They could slide Andrus Peat over from left guard. Peat, who was the Saints top draft pick in 2015, has had ups and downs, but he has been solid over the past two weeks. Left tackle is his most natural position.I played there my whole life, high school and college, said Peat, though he stressed, Im just ready to play wherever.If the Saints opt to leave Peat at left guard, then veteran swingman Senio Kelemete or recently re-signed veteran Tony Hills could be options.Snead, meanwhile, labeled himself as a game-time decision aftter he was able to do some work at practice Saturday for the first time all week.ddddddddddddI feel really good right now. At the end of the day its how Im feeling on game day, said Snead, who said the decision will be up to coach Sean Payton after Snead tests it out and tells him how it feels.Its Monday Night Football, the atmospheres gonna be great. Its gonna be frustrating if I cant go, Snead said. If I can go, Ill make the most of it. ... If I cant, Ill be on the sidelines cheering my butt off.Snead said his toe was injured when it got caught in the turf and rolled up when he was tackled.So it just kind of stretched the ligaments out, Snead said. Right now I feel OK. I dont feel a hundred percent, but throughout the week my foots been getting better and weve been treating it really well.I just want to be healthy for the year, to be honest. I dont want it to linger, I want it to be gone.Jordan practiced on a limited basis all week. Vaccaro ramped up his activity each day. Things look a little more dire for Saints DT Tyeler Davison (shoulder/foot), LB Dannell Ellerbe (quad) and TE Josh Hill (ankle), all of whom are listed as questionable after not participating in practice Saturday. CB Delvin Breaux has also been ruled out with the broken fibula he suffered in Week 1. ' ' '