Philadelphia Took Two Veterans and Multiple Second-Round Rights
On December 11, 2014, Brooklyn traded Andrei Kirilenko and Jorge Gutierrez to Philadelphia along with a 2020 second-round choice and the 76ers right to exchange second-round picks with Brooklyn in 2018. The Nets received forward Brandon Davies and acquired a pair of trade exceptions, worth roughly $3.4 million and $916,000. Brooklyn's own official announcement confirms the multiple terms. The acquired swap later connected to No. 38 Khyri Thomas for Philadelphia and No. 55 Arnoldas Kulboka for Brooklyn, while the 2020 second ultimately became No. 47 Yam Madar. This was a cap and second-round asset trade, not simply Kirilenko for Davies. Philadelphia had room to absorb veteran salaries while rebuilding through prospects and future draft rights, and Brooklyn sought financial roster flexibility.
Davies Played Just Seven Nets Games
Davies had averaged 6.3 points in 20 Philadelphia games before the transaction, but his opportunity in Brooklyn was considerably smaller. He appeared in just seven Nets regular-season games in 2014-15, with no starts and averages of 2.3 points and 1.4 rebounds. Those are the statistics that count as the direct on-court return, not his 2013-14 Philadelphia season or previous BYU career. Brooklyn's C- inherited grade reflects short-term frontcourt insurance and the created trade exceptions, offset against the draft rights it surrendered. The roster had veteran big men already filling most of the minutes, so Davies never became a reliable Nets rotation regular. Brooklyn waived him later that month, ending the experiment quickly even though the financial restructuring remained in place.
Kirilenko Did Not Become a Sixers Player, but the Picks Were Real
Kirilenko did not join the 76ers playing roster in a meaningful regular-season role, and the team later waived him. Gutierrez was a reserve guard, but Philadelphia placed most of the transaction's value in the incoming future picks and favorable swap option. The 2018 second-round swap was actually usable, and the 2020 selection added another developmental asset. The 76ers B+ inherited grade reflects collecting draft opportunities and financial flexibility from a team that wanted to reduce obligations, rather than new on-court production from Kirilenko. The Nets gave up multiple future options in return for a seven-game forward and exceptions that could be used elsewhere. The best explanation of the lopsided retrospective grading is asset control across future drafts, not a claim that Philadelphia acquired an immediate All-Star through this deal.
Final Verdict
76ers Win. Philadelphia earns B+ after receiving Andrei Kirilenko, Jorge Gutierrez, a 2020 second-round choice tied to Yam Madar and favorable 2018 second-round swap rights. Brooklyn gets C- for Brandon Davies, whose Nets tenure lasted seven games at 2.3 points, and trade exceptions. The future picks were the most durable returns.