By Jordan Long
The Utah Jazz sit at 10-12, 1.5 games behind the Dallas Mavericks for the 8th and final playoff spot in the Western Conference. The Jazz made a trade with the Cleveland Cavaliers in hopes of improving the teams’ chances of making the postseason. Utah dealt guard Alec Burks and two future 2nd-round draft picks for shooting guard Kyle Korver.
Korver hasn’t played much this season for Cleveland. He is a bench player, averaging 15.7 minutes per game, down from the 21.6 minutes he played last season. When Korver is in the game, he is a scorer averaging 6.8 points per game. Korver’s strength is 3 pointers. When ever he has a chance he will shoot the ball from the 3-point line. Korver is shooting an impressive 46.1% from the arc.
Korver can also play defense. He boxes out for rebounds averaging 1.8 rebounds per game. He doesn’t allow opponents to have easy looks at the hoop. When they drive, Korver stays with his man and it causes an off-balance shot which is usually a miss.
Utah felt his offensive and defensive skills may boost their chances of making the postseason. The Jazz know what kind of player he is. Korver was in Utah from 2007 to 2010. The Jazz never missed the playoffs with him.
The Jazz are taking a risk. Korver is under contract for next year. He is 37 years old and will turn 38 on March 17th, who knows how much Korver has left in the tank. He can still come off the bench to make baskets on offense and play defense.
The Jazz are hoping Korver is the answer for them off the bench. He can help this team win games especially if he can make 3 pointers. The 3 pointers will make a close game for the Jazz into a comfortable lead. The Jazz didn’t have to trade much for Korver. Hopefully Korver is worth it and the Jazz end up in the playoffs as the 7th or 8th seed in the Western Conference.
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