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Andrei Kirilenko is retiring.

OK, maybe he isn't.

The reports are conflicting, and right now there isn't a resolution. You see, yesterday, stories surfaced that the former Jazz small forward was hanging up the sneakers, calling it quits. But ESPN's Mike Mazzeo — the beat writer for the Brooklyn Nets — reported this morning that Kirilenko, or AK-47 as he has forever been nicknamed, hasn't made up his mind and will give more thought to his playing status over the summer.

Even if his retirement isn't official, Kirilenko is certainly in the twilight of what's been a great career. His tenure with the Brooklyn Nets didn't go nearly as planned and he was traded to Philadelphia in December. He didn't want to play for the Sixers, and was waived in February.

If this is the end, Kirilenko's certainly one of the best players in Utah Jazz history, and probably the greatest small forward in franchise history. He was the equivalent of a 5-tool player defensively, capable of smothering his opponent man-to-man. He was also a great shotblocker for his position, a good rebounder and garnered tons of steals with his long arms and sense of anticipation.

Kirilenko made the NBA all-star team in 2004, and was a first team all-defensive player in 2006.

So maybe this is the end for AK-47. Maybe it isn't. But there's no doubt that Kirilenko — one of the best players to ever come out of Russia — made his mark on the NBA.

— Tony Jones