Shooting guard Kyle Korver knew the Cavaliers’ front office might deal him early in the season and he listed the Jazz as one of his preferred destinations, Eric Woodyard of the Deseret News reports. Korver was traded for Alec Burks and two future second-round picks. “It feels like a good fit,” Korver told Woodyard. Korver is in his second stint with Utah, having played there from 2007-10. He has averaged 8.5 PPG in 19.5 MPG in his first two games since the deal.
We have more from around the Western Conference:
- Dirk Nowitzki participated in a 3-on-3 scrimmage at the end of practice on Monday as he nears his return to action, Eddie Sefko of the Dallas Morning News reports. The longtime Mavericks power forward has not played this season due to a left ankle injury. Dallas is hopeful he can make his season debut sometime this month. “He’s got to keep working on strength, playing simulation games with some of our guys,” coach Rick Carlisle told Sefko. “Sprinting, moving and all that. It’s never going to be the same as running out there with real NBA players. But you got to do what you can do.”
- Rockets coach Mike D’Antoni believes improved health will lead to better defense, as he told Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle. The Rockets currently rank 26th in that department. “Nene and Chris (Paul) coming back, first of all, that’s two of the better defenders in the league, so that helps,” D’Antoni said. “That’s going to take minutes off Clint (Capela) and P.J. (Tucker). So they’ll be better defensively because they won’t be as tired. … We know we need to be in the top 10 to be a real contender.”
- D’Antoni has high praise for the Timberwolves’ Derrick Rose, who has reinvented himself as a shooting guard, Feigen writes in a separate story. Rose is averaging 19.3 PPG despite starting just five of 21 games. “Accepting new roles is tough. Some guys can do it. Some guys just can’t do it,” D’Antoni said. “They can try to shoot threes all they want. When they can do it, for the team, obviously, it’s beneficial. The league has changed. If you want to be effective, you have to change sometimes.”
Kevin Love tells Joe Vardon of the Athletic that he is targeting mid January for his return. They need him back to start the 4 position since they only have Osman, Nance Jr,, and Tristan for the frontcourt. Frye and Zizic aren’t playing.
Korver was upset that the Cavs told him last summer they would trade him. Then they told Love they wouldn’t trade anyone so they could be competitive. Then Love got hurt again and everything turned into a disaster. They said they decided to trade Korver now because he’s healthy.
Love said he won’t come back until he’s ready. The Cavs said they plan to play him, but are still hoping for a high lottery pick.
Kyrie Irving said Ivan Calderon tore him up in his NBA debut, so he returned the favor to Colin Sexton when he scored 29 points against the Cavs last weekend.
By the way is Jose Calderon not Ivan.