On his blog Memo13.com, Okur says that he is happy to be playing for the Jazz, but others "have to respect [Kirilenko's] opinion that the Utah system is no longer a good fit for him. ... I believe Andrei will sit down with the Jazz management and they will decide whatever is in the best interest of all parties."

After leading Russia to the EuroLeaguue championship two weeks ago and being named the tournament MVP, Kirilenko told one of his country's newspapers that he wanted to be traded because he could no longer play for coach Jerry Sloan.

Okur was "very happy" for Kirilenko's success this summer because "he is a good friend." But he added that Kirilenko "must really believe he is at a point where he can't go further" in Utah.

That is not how Okur feels, apparently.

"My family and I love Salt Lake City," Okur said. "We love Andrei and his family. However, it is the most important goal for us to carry the results from last season a step or two further."

If Kirilenko is traded, Okur said, "It will not affect our friendship negatively in any way. It will also ... not change my feelings for the Jazz and the dedication to that goal."

In Utah, Okur credits the system that has soured Kirilenko as one that helped him improve.

"After I came to Utah, in coach Jerry Sloan's system, I grew and developed as a player," he wrote. "I became an All-Star in this system."