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What Does The Acquisition of Kyle Korver Mean To The Cleveland Cavaliers?
The Cleveland Cavaliers stunned the NBA world when news came about they traded Mike Dunleavy and a 2019 Protected First Round Pick to the Atlanta Hawks for sharpshooting guard Kyle Korver. Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert was at it again, stealing not only a consistent three-point shooter, but one of the greatest three-point shooters the league has ever seen.
With Cleveland down a guard due to JR Smith’s thumb injury that will sideline him until after the all-star break, Korver is the perfect man for the job. Shooting 40.9% from deep and 44.1% from the field, he’s a more efficient shooter than Smith and will be an extremely effective starting shooting guard. Smith—who was Cleveland’s starter to begin the 2016-17 season—was the 2013 Sixth Man of the Year, and probably won’t mind knocking down three-pointers off the bench when he returns.
How exactly will Cleveland benefit from Korver?
- Ability to spread the floor; keep defenders guessing
Which trio are more of threats with the ball? LeBron James, Kyrie Irving, and Kevin Love (all with Cleveland), or Paul Millsap, Kent Bazemore and Dennis Schroeder (all with Atlanta)? This should be an easy one, folks. With Kyle Korver now in Cleveland, James and Irving have the ability to find the one-time all-star open from three-point range as often as they do with Love. Just with his presence, Korver will spread the floor for James, Irving, and Love to work their magic. If the double team comes, who’s guarding Korver? Maybe the forward flashing toward him to pick up the open man, but wait a second? Where’s Tristan Thompson? **Two points**
Korver will give opposing defenders headaches with their constant guessing of if he will shoot the ball or dish it to an open teammate. LeBron James and Kyrie Irving will have a field day with assists when feeding Korver from deep.
- The three-point shot he is best known for
Kyle Korver has become one of the greatest three-point shooters the league has ever seen because of his efficiency. The 35-year-old once had 127 straight games with a three-pointer; an NBA record. Sure, he won’t knock down a large number of three-pointers each night, but is averaging a steady 2.0 per game this season while shooting 40.9%. Korver’s style with Cleveland will be almost identical as JJ Redick’s ability in Los Angeles–knock down three-pointers, make defenders bite the pump fake and knock in mid-range shots.
- Two-headed, interchangeable monster of Kyle Korver and JR Smith.
When in-the-zone, JR Smith can knock down a three-pointer from virtually anywhere on the court. Sure, at times he may chuck shots, but overall accounts for a great percentage of Cleveland’s three-pointers made per game. With Smith and Korver on the roster, they could switch the two in-and-out of the five players on the floor depending on who’s hot and who’s knock. Or, if they need a few three-pointers to get them back in a game, stick the both on the court and they’ll let the three-balls fly.
- Cavaliers tax bill increase
According to front office insider Bobby Marks at The Vertical, acquiring Kyle Korver and shedding Mike Dunleavy contract would see the Cleveland Cavaliers current tax bill increase $1.3 million-$32.4 million to $33.7 million.
The Cleveland Cavaliers—once again—are atop the league leaders in team three-pointers made per game knocking down about 15 a contest. Since last postseason, the Cavaliers have broke a number of three-point records including becoming the first team in league history to have back-to-back regular-season games with 20 three-pointers, as well as knocking down an NBA-record 25 three-pointers in a single game (regular season or postseason).
The rich get richer. Kyle Korver is a great addition for the 2016 NBA champions who will make Cleveland’s quest for a second championship even more facile. Expect more three-point records to be broken/made by Cleveland…
