As the NBA trade deadline approaches, the Cleveland Cavaliers continue to be a team to look out for. Now, they’re interested in Atlanta Hawks shooter Kyle Korver.
The Cleveland Cavaliers should undoubtedly be a lock for the 2016 NBA Finals. The 2nd seed Toronto Raptors are surging and should they make it to the Eastern Conference Finals, they’ll certainly put Cleveland to the test. However, as the trade deadline approaches, even a team with as much talent as the Cavaliers haven’t been ruled out of trade discussions.
Now, as has been reported by ESPN Cleveland (referring to the insight of Brian Windhorst), 2014-15 Atlanta Hawks All-Star Kyle Korver has the interest of the Cavaliers.
They Cavs have simply looked underwhelming as contenders sometimes this season. Whether it’s their reliance on isolation plays at times or most frequently their sporadic defense which showed them up in a 104-103 loss to the Boston Celtics, they aren’t perfect. Certainly not in comparison to the Golden State Warriors, that is.
While adding Korver won’t do a whole lot for their defensive lapses, he’s better at that end of the floor than you’d think for someone who lacks athleticism. He’s a smart player who knows where to be and he’s an attentive help defender. However, as we all know him for his elite sharpshooting, that’s the key asset for the Cavaliers to place into their offense as an off-ball threat.
He’s fallen off a bit this season to 38.3 percent from deep and wasn’t even an afterthought as an All-Star now that the Hawks have regressed, but he’s still a serious threat from range. For the last two seasons, he’s led the NBA in three-point percentage at 47.2 in 2013-14 and 49.2 in 2014-15. That kind of efficiency is ridiculous, and with 2.9 threes per game last season it’s even more impressive he maintained such accuracy while taking so many shots.
For a team who have so many ball dominant players like LeBron James, Kyrie Irving and the trigger-happy J.R. Smith, a player like Korver who won’t disrupt offensive flow is a great player to target.
Exactly what the Hawks will want in return is unclear, though. The Cavaliers don’t have many expendable assets, and as a starter playing 30 minutes a night, Korver is a key part of Atlanta’s team. Even if it will be difficult to pull off a trade, though, Cleveland should at least get on the phone and inquire about possible deals.