The Cavs have moved to put an emphasis on their young players, which has resulted in DNPs for veterans like Kyle Korver, Channing Frye and J.R. Smith early in the season. Yet Korver is still hoping to find a niche within this team, whether his minutes are limited or not.
“I think we’re trying to figure a lot of things out across the board,” Korver said following Wednesday’s shootaround, according to Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com. “Trying to find lineups that work, trying to find a fun style of play. There’s a lot of new here and it hasn’t been that long yet. This is a great job for me, whether I’m playing or not, so I’m going to come every day and work hard.”
Korver has been limited to 19 total minutes this season for the Cavs, including a DNP-coach’s decision on Sunday during a 22-point loss to the even younger Atlanta Hawks.
The front office has made a decision to invest their time developing the youth in this roster, but Korver knows the team is trying to slowly figure out life after LeBron James — a trial by fire during this 0-3 start to the season.
“A lot of it really is the lineups that we’re playing,” Korver said. “We have certain guys whose strengths are attacking the basket, certain guys whose strengths are getting in the paint and making plays, certain guys strengths are shooting. I think we’re just trying to find lineups that work. Obviously I have a certain strength, it’s like how do I fit into a certain lineup. I think we’re trying to figure out a lot of stuff.”
Korver still holds value as one of the best 3-point shooters in NBA history, but his chances will be diminished unless he finds a fit with some of these younger Cavs players with playmaking abilities like Collin Sexton or Cedi Osman.