The Atlanta Hawks have made their first trade of the season. This one was particularly painful for fans.
If you have yet to hear, The Atlanta Hawks agreed to trade Kyle Korver to the Cleveland Cavaliers for guard Mo Williams, forward Mike Dunleavy Jr. and a protected first round draft pick in the 2019 or 2020 draft on Friday. While it is yet to be finalized and made official, Korver has already expressed his gratitude to the fans, organization and said his goodbyes. There is also a sense circulating that this is just the beginning of their demolition project.
The Hawks, in the have and have nots state of the NBA, are a part of the problem. Of all the teams that they could have dealt Korver to, they chose the team that reduced them to rubble in the post season each of the past two years, to gain one of the greatest sharpshooters in the history of the game.
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Let me tell you, that Mo Williams is essentially retired at this point. Mike Dunleavy Jr. likely will never play a possession for the Hawks, and the draft pick that they acquired will not be available to them for at least another two years. So, can you imagine that they could not find anybody else to give them a similar or better deal for Korver?
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Of course they could have. There are several fringe contenders that would have loved to have taken Korver off of their hands. Do you think the Rockets would have balked at giving up a couple of expiring contracts and a draft pick for Korver? No, they shoot 40 3-pointers every game. Would the Spurs have declined such an offer? That’s also unlikely. Why wouldn’t the Hawks trade him to the other conference?
If somebody has hurt me or caused me heartache in the heat of battle, in any way, ever, then I’m not going to throw them any lifelines. It would actually be more pleasing to me to witness them lose, and if I was able to cause that experience for them, even better. I would never offer them any help or kindness But, hey, that’s just me.
Not the Hawks. They see that the Cavs main goal is to be able to topple the leaders of the Western Conference in a potential championship series, and they go out of their way, to, help them!
There is actually a case for having the best interest of Kyle Korver in mind to deal him to such a nemesis. He is near the end of his career and he should have a chance at a title. I understand all of that. There is also an entire fan-base to consider.
Don’t interpret this post as a declaration of me disowning my beloved Hawks entirely. Although upon hearing this news, I had considered that. Perhaps you will find me picketing outside Philips Arena at an upcoming game I was going to attend. I have cared too long to stop now. So, it’s too late for me.
You’ve won five games in a row. You’re near the top of the Eastern Conference standings. Korver is averaging 9.4 points per game on 41 percent shooting from three-point range. Yes, he is 35 years old. He is also one of the most popular players on the team. He has performed better since being asked to come off the bench, a few weeks ago. The trade deadline is not until Feb. 23. Could the timing of this trade been any worse?
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It’s just disheartening that the team moved a player so beloved by fans to a heated rival.. Who knows? Maybe the impending Millsap trade ends up making the Hawks a dynasty that overthrows the Cavaliers completely. There will be more moves to follow, stay tuned.