Cavs net trey specialist Korver
The Cavaliers angle for three points in nearly 40% of their field goal tries per game (second overall behind the Rockets) and hit at a 39% rate (bested only by the Spurs), a deadly combine that, needless to say, Korver should both benefit from and further
It took the Cavaliers two whole days of negotiating in the limelight to complete a trade for yet another trey specialist in Kyle Korver. It wasn’t that the Hawks were unwilling partners; on the contrary, the latter’s avowed desire to prevent the sharpshooter from doing an Al Horford ( leave as an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season sans any recompense) gave the defending champions the opening they needed to significantly improve their roster. And, in the aftermath, to say that he figures to boost their chances to retain the National Basketball Association crown would be to underestimate his value.
Interestingly, the deal also benefits the Cavaliers by subtraction; in the process, they’ve managed to let go of unhappy point guard Mo Williams, whose returnthenretire decision in the offseason was prompted by an apparent belief that the wine and gold cared not a whit about the state of his left knee ( which subsequently underwent surgery based on the recommendation of a doctor he himself sought). Including the departure of underperforming Mike Dunleavy, they wind up saving some $5.3 million in repeater taxes. To be sure, luxury levies are the least of the Cavaliers’ worries, which is why they would have gone for the player swap even if it got them deeper in the red. Korver’s a perfect fit for their driveand-dish-for-three predilections, especially given the prolonged convalescence of starting two-guard J. R. Smith from thumb surgery late last month. He’s a career 42.9% shooter from beyond the arc, and his 40.9% rate this season looks to get a boost in light of the court vision of LeBron James, who is currently second in the league when it comes to creating uncontested trey attempts.
Right now, the Cavaliers angle for three points in nearly 40% of their field goal tries per game ( second overall behind the Rockets) and hit at a 39% rate ( bested only by the Spurs), a deadly combine that, needless to say, Korver should both benefit from and further enhance. And considering how much better they become with his presence, it’s not without irony that the huge assist came by way of an accord with one of their biggest rivals in the Eastern Conference.
Up next for the Cavaliers: an upgrade at the one spot, where the departure of scrappy Matthew Dellavedova has left them thin and increased the burden on fragile three-time All- Star Kyrie Irving. So far, the pickings (which include former James teammates Norris Cole and Mario Chalmers) are slim, but general manager David Griffin certainly won’t stop burning phone lines in an effort to come up with the right name (not Rajon Rondo). In any case, he has already met his quota for the same midseason magic that netted them Channing Frye last year; as he aptly noted, “Kyle brings all of the elements of Cavs DNA that we covet on and off the floor.” The rich just definitely got richer.