Hoops Habit
Fansided

5 Teams That Should Trade For Kyle Korver

By Jon Shames

Oct 14, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Hawks guard Kyle Korver (26) reacts to a three-point basket in the third quarter of their game against the San Antonio Spurs at Philips Arena. The Hawks won 100-86. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 14, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Hawks guard Kyle Korver (26) reacts to a three-point basket in the third quarter of their game against the San Antonio Spurs at Philips Arena. The Hawks won 100-86. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
1 of 6
Next

The Atlanta Hawks could make Kyle Korver available at the trade deadline, and if they do, these five teams need to pursue the sharpshooter’s services.

Oct 14, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Hawks guard Kyle Korver (26) reacts to a three-point basket in the third quarter of their game against the San Antonio Spurs at Philips Arena. The Hawks won 100-86. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 14, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Hawks guard Kyle Korver (26) reacts to a three-point basket in the third quarter of their game against the San Antonio Spurs at Philips Arena. The Hawks won 100-86. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports /

What a time to be a shooter.

There is perhaps no single skill more valued at the present time than an elite shooting ability. Your reigning champion Golden State Warriors have done the “bombs away” strategy an immeasurable amount of justice; teams are realizing that unstoppable shooting is the key to an explosive offense.

And for that reason, long-established sniper Kyle Korver is going to be one of the hottest names on the market when the Feb 18. trade deadline hits, assuming the Atlanta Hawks make him available as they are expected to (per ESPN):

Related Story: 25 Best Players to Play for the Atlanta Hawks

"The Atlanta Hawks are engaged in serious internal discussions ahead of the Feb. 18 trade deadline about the future direction of their team and their core players, including three All-Stars from their historic 2014-15 team: Al Horford,Jeff Teague and Kyle Korver…. Sources with knowledge of the team’s thinking say that Hawks management and ownership have conceded internally that unless Atlanta can recapture the magic of last season’s run — when it went 60-22 and claimed the East’s top seed — this season’s team is a fringe contender."

The Hawks were easily the NBA’s biggest surprise last year, winning 60 games, 19 of which came consecutively. They were the league’s most unstoppable offense for a good part of the year, and their floor spacing — much of which came from Korver, who shot a scorching 49.2 percent from three-point range — was the catalyst behind it all.

But now, Korver and his Hawks squad have both regressed to averageness. The former is converting 38.4 percent of his three-point attempts, a solid mark that’s above the league norm, but that isn’t anything spectacular. The latter has been unable to gain ground on the other top-tier Eastern Conference teams, and is now the owner of the fourth seed after dropping five of ten.

The Hawks have good reason to be concerned for their future, especially if management doesn’t believe this team to be a contender this year. Prized big man Al Horford will see his contract expire at the end of the season, and there’s no guarantee Atlanta can retain him.

Because of this, they are expected to entertain offers for Horford. If he is, indeed, shipped out, Korver and backcourt mate Jeff Teague are sure to follow.

Korver, coming off an All-Star appearance, has really improved his all-around game in his time with Atlanta. Because of that, his value is at a near-all-time high, and Atlanta can capitalize on that if they act soon. Should Korver be made available, here are five teams that would benefit from trading for the Hawks’ sharpshooter.

Next: No. 5

Home/Atlanta Hawks