Let the Kyle Korver welcome party begin in Cleveland.
After news broke yesterday that a deal had been struck between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Atlanta Hawks, sending Korver to the Lake Erie shoreline, it was only a matter of time before the transaction was finalized.
This afternoon, David Griffin, Cavaliers General Manager, released an official statement, confirming that the deal is complete.
Per the Cavaliers’ official article on www.nba.com:
The 2016 NBA Champion Cleveland Cavaliers have acquired guard Kyle Korver from the Atlanta Hawks in exchange for guard/forward Mike Dunleavy, guard Mo Williams, cash considerations and a protected first round draft pick (first possible pick is Cleveland’s 2019 first round pick), Cavaliers General Manager David Griffin announced today from Cleveland Clinic Courts.”
Kyle Korver to the Cavaliers: @cavs score 34.9 percent of their points on 3-pointers, second in NBA to Rockets (39.4 percent)
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) January 7, 2017
Griffin had high praise for Korver’s game as he welcomed the sharpshooting swingman and his family to Northeast Ohio.
We are extremely pleased to be able to add a player and person the caliber of Kyle Korver to our Cavs family,” said Griffin. “Among the most prolific and dynamic three-point shooters in NBA history, a selfless, and team first competitor, Kyle brings all of the elements of Cavs DNA that we covet on and off the floor. We look forward to welcoming Kyle, his wife, Juliet and their three children to Northeast Ohio and are certain our fans will embrace them with open arms.”
Joe Vardon of www.cleveland.com reports on the financial side of the deal in his recent article.
Not only does the remainder of Williams’ $2.1 million salary go off Cleveland’s payroll, but an estimated $2.3 million in tax penalties attached to Williams’ contract are also being saved.”
“Dunleavy’s contract was worth about $4.8 million this year and Korver’s is worth about $5.2 million. The first-round pick headed to the Hawks is “protected,” which means if Cleveland is drafting in spots 1-10 (highly unlikely), the Hawks get the pick in 2020.”
Korver, 35, played in 32 games for the Hawks this season, including 21 starts. The 6’10” marksman is currently carrying averages of 9.5 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.3 assists in 27.9 minutes per game. Further bolstering his appeal, Korver is shooting 89% from the free-throw line.
While free-throw percentage is important, it’s not the main reason Korver will be in Cleveland. The Cavs, who are slated to be without J.R. Smith for 10-14 more weeks, will be looking for the former NBA All-Star to shoot the three-ball.
Korver is currently ranked eighth in NBA history with 1,952 career three-pointers (fifth among active players) and eighth all-time in three-point field goal percentage (.429). Furthermore, Korver has tallied 100 threes or more 11 times in his career, including each of the last six seasons.
I think it’s safe to say that Korver will have a fluorescent green light from both his teammates and the Cavaliers’ coaching staff.
