Jazz forward Andrei Kirilenko says that he wants to re-sign with the team when he hits the free agent market in the summer of 2011.
"Definitely the Jazz is going to be my priority," Kirilenko told FanHouse. "From the city standpoint to the team standpoint, because you get used to being here. It's very hard to change when you're getting older. So definitely the Jazz is going to be my priority."
His priority represents a huge turnaround as Kirilenko was quoted in September 2007 in the Russian newspaper Sport Express as wanting to give up the then $63 million remaining on his contract to play in Europe.
Now, Kirilenko, who will earn $16.45 million this season, is willing to lower his asking price to remain in Utah.
"I don't think the money is going to be an issue," he said. "I understand that I look at the world realistically. I understand my value is going to be a little lower than it is right now. I'm not worried about that. Money has never been an issue. It's good to have a good contract and money. But my priority is basketball."