d be Superman the first day," he says. "Once I get back in the groove and take a few hits,

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. Cheap Jordans . 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. Fake Jordan . On Tuesday, the star questioned whether that was still the case. Speaking to reporters at a charity event, Johnson said: "I just kind of wonder sometimes: Is this still the place for me?" Johnsons comments came after he was asked why he recently skipped a voluntary minicamp. Air Jordan Outlet . James Jones got his turn Sunday. And the lift he brought, combined with the expected playoff showings from LeBron James and Dwyane Wade, have the Heat off and running in these playoffs. https://www.fakejordanwholesale.com/ . 1. Did the Senators trade the wrong goalie? Lets make one thing clear: The Ottawa Senators acquired Ben Bishop from the St. Louis Blues for one reason and one reason alone.COLUMBIA, S.C. - Marcus Lattimore feels close to 100 per cent and is counting down the days until he can run free and easy for the San Francisco 49ers. The former South Carolina tailback is back in his home state speaking to church groups and running youth clinics and camps. And through it all, hes got April 21st circled in red — thats when the 49ers open workouts and Lattimore has the green light to run as he did in 2012 before the second of two devastating knee injuries during college. "The left knee, it feels like nothing ever happened," Lattimore told The Associated Press by phone. "The right knee, it feels great. Both feel balanced. Ive got my speed and I rarely get any soreness" after workouts. For Lattimore, thats major progress after facing questions following his injuries while at South Carolina. He was one of the Southeastern Conferences rushing leaders in 2011 when he tore ligaments in his right knee in a game at Mississippi State and missed the Gamecocks final six games. After surgery and a furious rehab regimen and saw him return to the practice field a month ahead of schedule, Lattimore was ready for his junior season. That ended in October against Tennessee when he got hit on his left knee, again needing surgery to repair ligament damage. Lattimore again worked to rehab, not only to get back on the field but to prove to NFL teams he was worth drafting. The 49ers agreed and selected Lattimore in the fourth round last spring and told him not worry about rushing back to play last season. It wasnt easy, but Lattimore understood the patient approach would prove fruitful down the road. "I was just so grateful they believed in what I could do," Lattimore said. Lattimore held a youth football clinic in Charleston this past Saturday and has similar sessions planned for Greenville and Columbia the next few months. Lattimores kept a high profile in South Carolina since heading to the West Coast as a spokesman for several organizations, including a commercial for the South Carolina Education Lottery about playing responsibly. Thesee days, hes promoting South Carolinas First Choice Fit Adolescent Well Visit campaign, which stresses the importance of proper nutrition, exercise and building a relationship with a primary care physician among adolescent first choice Medicaid plan members statewide. Wholesale Air Jordan. . Lattimore said he learned through his injuries about not cutting corners with your health and believes young people who follow that advice will see the benefits throughout their lives. Dr. Marion Burton, medical director for the South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, says the group couldnt have a more well-respected representative than Lattimore. Many health professionals and administrators dont have a way to communicate with adolescents, but "Marcus sure does," Dr. Burton said. Lattimore said it wasnt easy watching from the sidelines while his San Francisco teammates were playing. He bonded the strongest, he says, with other injured players in similar rehab situations. Lattimore says he poured himself into learning coach Jim Harbaughs playbook so hed be as prepared as possible for workouts. "Man, its thick," he joked. Hes spent time with 49ers running back Frank Gore, who returned from college injury to become a five-time Pro Bowl selection in San Francisco. Lattimore says Gore has provided a strong example of how to handle oneself as a pro. Lattimore was nervous about moving so far away from home and small-town life, but his family came out frequently and he learned that San Francisco had its positives, too. "This is a very healthy place," Lattimore says. "People like to eat right and do lots of things to keep fit." Lattimore believes for him thats going full speed so he can contribute to the 49ers quest of getting back to the Super Bowl, where they lost to the Baltimore Ravens after the 2012 season. He says he tells himself all the time to remain patient when hes back in action. "I cant go out there and be Superman the first day," he says. "Once I get back in the groove and take a few hits, Ill be OK." ' ' '