Just this week, it has been reported that the Cleveland Cavaliers have made veteran sharpshooter Kyle Korver available in trade discussions.
Korver played under Mike Budenholzer from the beginning of Bud’s time with Atlanta in 2013, up until he was traded to Cleveland during the 2016-17 season. He was an all-star during the Hawks 60-win season in 2014-15, where Korver posted 12.1 points (49% on 3s!), 4.1 rebounds and 2.6 assists per contest.
Korver is a dead eye from three, with a career 3P% of 43.1%. He is 4th all time on the three-pointers made list, only behind Ray Allen, Reggie Miller, and Jason Terry.
Why Would the Bucks Want Him?
Knowing how well Korver played for Budenholzer is enough to understand why trading for him would make sense. However, he is 37 years old and has slowed down a little, but his three-point accuracy is still there. He has a partially guaranteed deal, with a contract going through this season and a team option for next year.
With Eric Bledsoe and Malcolm Brogdon starting, and Donte DiVincenzo often being the “point guard” when both of the aforementioned are on the bench, the secondary 2’s and 3’s are Tony Snell and Pat Connaughton. While both of them have played well so far this season, neither can shoot it like Kyle Korver.
What Would The Bucks Need To Give Up For Korver?
In a perfect world, the Bucks would be able to trade guys like Matthew Dellavedova, DJ Wilson, and Tony Snell for Korver. However, the Cavs made Korver available to shed the older guys for young, inexpensive talent to rebuild with. That leaves DJ, Donte, Sterling Brown, and Thon Maker. Maker and Wilson being traded seems unlikely, since the team just picked up their options for next season.
Donte also is most likely off limits based on how well he has played early in his career. The Bucks seem very high on him, and rightfully so. So that leaves Sterling Brown. Brown looked very promising last year with stifling defense, solid shooting, and he seemed to really know what he was doing. Since Bud became coach, however, Sterling hasn’t been able to find time behind the plethora of shooting guards on the roster. Why wouldn’t the Cavs be interested in him?
Trade Proposal: Send Brown, Dellavedova for Korver
Sterling could be the talented, inexpensive young player they’re looking for. While Dellavedova’s salary is probably more than the Cavs would like to pay, he would be a valuable veteran to help the team during the rebuild, and his contract only goes through next season, after which he becomes an unrestricted free agent. Cleveland’s fan base — or what’s left of it — appreciated Delly in his previous stint with the team.
This trade would work financially for both teams as well. Brown and Dellavedova combine for a $10.9M cap hit. Kyle Korver is set to make $7.5M this season, so this trade would also free up some cap room for Milwaukee. This is completely hypothetical, but this trade would benefit both teams. Korver isn’t a superstar that will warrant a big return. Cleveland should pounce on a young, promising talent like Sterling Brown is they get the opportunity.
Another Possible Trade Target
Another possible candidate is also from Cleveland.
JR Smith has been growing increasingly frustrated in Cleveland with lack of playing time and he doesn’t seem to want to be there during the rebuild. Smith is also a good shooter, but not as consistent or effective as Korver.
https://twitter.com/clevelanddotcom/status/1058040743976206336
The Bucks would most likely be more interested in Korver than Smith because of familiarity with the coaching staff, among other reasons, but JR could be acquired for a similar package.
