Jazz Bringing Kyle Korver Back To Utah
Nov 28, 2018, 5:05 PM | Updated: Nov 29, 2018, 11:08 am
Kyle Korver #26 of the Cleveland Cavaliers shoots the ball in the first half of the NBA season opener against the Toronto Raptors at Scotiabank Arena on October 17, 2018 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images)
(Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – The Utah Jazz announced that they have acquired Cleveland Cavaliers forward Kyle Korver in exchange for guard Alec Burks and two future second round picks.
So, we have some news.
» https://t.co/iiCW7d6Z2O pic.twitter.com/m7pfdfzsqp
— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) November 29, 2018
ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski first reported the move before the Jazz made the trade official on Thursday, pending the outcome of physicals.
Cleveland has traded Kyle Korver to Utah, league sources tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) November 28, 2018
Utah is also sending Alec Burks to Cavaliers in the deal, league source tells ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) November 28, 2018
Wojnarowski is also reporting that the Jazz will send two second round picks to Cleveland.
Sources: The Jazz are sending a 2020 second-round pick and a 2021 second-round pick via the Wizards. https://t.co/qheV5oY3QS
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) November 28, 2018
Korver has been in the NBA for 15 seasons, most recently with the Cleveland Cavaliers for two and a half seasons. The sharpshooting swing man spent three seasons with the Utah Jazz from 2007-10 where he averaged 8.7 points per game.
Kyle Korver #26 of The Utah Jazz in action against the New Jersey Nets during their game on December 16th, 2009 at The Izod Center in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
It is clear that the Jazz front office recognizes the need for a three-point shooter as the team is currently shooting 31 percent from downtown which is second worst in the league. Korver brings that to the Jazz with his 46 percent shooting from the perimeter.
Eric Woodyard of the Deseret News asked some Jazz players for their reaction of trade news.
Jazz guard Dante Exum on the addition of Kyle Korver via trade: “He definitely can help us and hopefully I can learn a few things of just being able to shoot.”
— Eric Woodyard (@E_Woodyard) November 28, 2018
Korver has one more year after this season left on his contract.
Nothing but love for @AlecBurks10 ❤️
Thank you, AB! pic.twitter.com/Qkkh0Qsa2w
— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) November 29, 2018
Alec Burks was the longest tenured player for the Utah Jazz. He was drafted by the Jazz with the 12th pick in the first round in the 2011 draft. Burks spent all seven seasons on his NBA career in Utah where he averaged 9.6 points per game.
Alec Burks #10 of the Utah Jazz controls the ball in a preseason NBA game against the Adelaide 36ers at Vivint Smart Home Arena on October 5, 2018 in Salt Lake City, Utah. (Photo by Gene Sweeney Jr./Getty Images)
Burks former teammates reacted to the news when Burks told them that he was being traded to Cleveland.
Jazz rookie Grayson Allen said he was shocked to learn the news of Kyle Korver’s trade to Utah. Alec Burks informed him ahead of the Jazz-Nets tip-off. “That’s how it goes,” Allen said.
— Eric Woodyard (@E_Woodyard) November 28, 2018
He will be reunited with former Jazz teammates Rodney Hood and George Hill, who are both on the Cleveland Cavaliers roster. According to Woodyard, Burks is happy with the move to Cleveland.
A Deseret News source confirmed that Alec Burks is happy to be in a place with more consistent minutes for him. Burks is in good spirits and ready to turn the page because the rotation wasn’t working in his favor with 15.8 minutes per game. He is currently headed to Cleveland.
— Eric Woodyard (@E_Woodyard) November 29, 2018
