Corey Korver? Curry Kispert?
It took just one breakout performance for Corey Kispert to cement himself as a Hawks fan-favorite. Acquired from Washington in January as part of the infamous Trae Young trade, Kispert's early Atlanta tenure hasn't been all sunshine and rainbows.
The struggles have been evident. Up until Thursday night's statement game, the 26-year-old forward had been slowly falling out of the rotation. It was only a matter of time before he quieted all the noise, as Kispert's skillset is exactly what this young Atlanta Hawks team needs.
Yes, the outside shooting is undeniable. If anything's helped him carve out a reliable rotation spot through five NBA seasons, it's his three-ball. Unlike the majority of shooting specialists, however, his brilliance doesn't stop there.
Optionality: it's not just a financial term, but an archetype. Limited role offensive players are a dying breed. There's nothing more important than versatility in the modern NBA. That goes for both ends of the floor, too. Being a one-trick pony simply isn't an option anymore.
Luckily for Atlanta, their newly-blossoming sharpshooter brings much more than efficient percentages from the outside. He brings an all-around game. He's not a top-tier defensive player, but is serviceable on that end due to his frame and relentless effort.
His offensive versatility is what really stands out. Not only can Kispert hit threes at an unreal clip, as evident in Thursday's third consecutive win, but his high basketball IQ allows him to create advantages down low.
Adaptability constantly proves to be a key part of Kispert's game.
"It helps when you have multiple things that you can hang your hat on," Kispert told me after his 33-point explosion. "I'm by no means the most athletic, or the most dynamic, or the strongest person in this league, but I can definitely get to the rim."
His percentages near the basket are similar to those of his three-ball, both being remarkably efficient. This season, Kispert is shooting 66.7% at the rim and 37.8 from deep.
He continued, "When shots don't fall, on nights where the three-ball isn't working, being able to get downhill and finish at the rim is something that I've grown into."
Head Coach Quin Snyder loves the underrated aspects of his newcomer's game, giving him extended run whenever he catches a rhythm. Kispert played 28 well-deserved minutes on Thursday, just two games removed from seeing only 13 minutes against the Nets.
Kispert knows his coach loves it, too. His fit in Snyder's offensive system was a key reason why General Manager Onsi Saleh identified him while negotiating the Trae Young trade.
"We play with the pass, we move the ball, we put in the time and energy with a lot of pace," Kispert added, "so when you can knock down threes and get to the rim, things tend to go well. Especially here."
Corey Kispert’s three-ball is phenomenal, but it’s what he does inside the arc that separates him from his peers.
— Zach Langley (@ZachLangleyNBA) February 27, 2026
After his career night, I asked him about how his paint attack has helped him flourish in Quin Snyder’s offensive system:
“When you can knock down threes and get… pic.twitter.com/vueS5noJqL
After a rocky start to his Hawks tenure, the versatile sharpshooting wing appears to be settled. His comfort level rising will be key to Atlanta's postseason hopes.