When Kyle Korver was first traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers on Jan. 7, 2017, he was meant to take advantage of LeBron James‘ incredible ability of drawing multiple defenders and getting to the basket.
For the better part of two NBA seasons, Korver did just that. In his first season with the Cavs, he averaged 10.7 points per game on 48.5 shooting from the three-point line. In the 2017-18 season, he averaged 9.2 points per game on 43.1 percent from beyond the arc.
Now, with James no longer on the Cavs, questions have arisen regarding whether or not Korver’s days in Cleveland are numbered as well. While no trade has yet taken place, there are most likely quite a few teams around the league that would be willing to trade for Korver.
Here are five trades that the Cavs could make with the sharpshooting veteran:
1. Kyle Korver for Jerryd Bayless
The reason why this is the first potential trade on this list is because both teams have reportedly already considered it. Back on July 20, it was reported that the Cavs and 76ers had discussed this move.
The trade makes sense for both teams. With Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons, the 76ers have two offensive dynamos who excel close to the basket, but leave quite a bit to be desired when it comes to shooting outside. If they could trade for Korver, he would be able to feast around the perimeter as opposing defenses shift inside to cover the basket. As for the Cavs, Jerryd Bayless is a veteran point guard who could help rookie point guard Collin Sexton as he continues to develop in the NBA.
While the most recent reports regarding a potential Cavs-76ers trade have indicated that the Cavs are also interested in a first-round draft pick, this veteran swap is definitely something to keep an eye on.
2. Kyle Korver for Terrance Ferguson and Alex Abrines
If the Cavaliers are looking to getting younger, swapping out the 37-year-old shooting guard for a 20-year-old and a 25-year-old would definitely do the trick. The Cavs could send Korver to the Oklahoma City Thunder in exchange for second-year pro Ferguson along with Abrines.
Korver would give the star-studded Thunder yet another offensive weapon which they will definitely need if they hope to compete for the Western Conference title next season.
Ferguson did not enjoy much consistent play and only averaged 12.5 minutes per game in his first season in the NBA. Still, when he was given an opportunity, he proved why he was worthy of the 21st overall pick in the 2017 draft. In back-to-back games in the month of January, Ferguson played over 30 minutes. In the first contest, the 6-foot-7 youngster logged 24 points in 33 minutes. In the following game, he recorded 11 points in 31 minutes. He had several other double-digit performances throughout the season, and would likely get the opportunity to add to his tally if he were brought to Cleveland via a trade.
As for Alex Abrines, the Spanish national has already proven that he is capable of being a contributing role player coming off the bench. Last season, he averaged 4.7 points and 1.5 rebounds per game. While those numbers don’t jump off the page, it will definitely help ease the load for the starters and encourage competition within the changing roster.
3. Kyle Korver for P.J. Tucker
With James no longer in Cleveland, the Cavaliers will likely look to fill the huge void he has left at the small forward position by committee. While James was able to do it all on either side of the court, the Cavs will now most likely look for players they can plug in during specific times of the game.
While they currently have several small forwards who can perform on the offensive side, few excel on the defensive side of the court. That’s where P.J. Tucker comes in. The 6-foot-6 forward is known across the league as a defensive specialist. While he wouldn’t offer too much on the offensive side of the ball, he would be able to add a defensive grit that the Cavs seem to lack. As for the Rockets, Korver would give them another ability to try to match the Warriors’ three-point shooting should they face off against the defending champs in the playoffs next season.
4.  Kyle Korver for Patty Mills
If the Cavs are intent on adding a veteran presence to their roster to help Sexton ease into the NBA, Patty Mills is a great option. Not only would his nine years of NBA experience help him show Sexton the ropes, he is also no slouch on the court himself.
Last season, Mills averaged 10.0 points on 41.1 percent shooting in 25.7 minutes per game. He would certainly be an added asset to the Cavs as they look to begin the post-James era off on the right foot.
While San Antonio will most likely not be competing at the very top of the Western Conference next season, it is always in the running thanks to Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich’s brilliance. If Korver were to end up in San Antonio, there is little doubt that Popovich would be able to utilize him in a wholly productive way.
5. Kyle Korver for Solomon Hill
Last postseason, New Orleans Pelicans star big man Anthony Davis proved that he can lead a team to playoff success when his team beat the No. 3 seeded Portland Trail Blazers. They then proved in the following round that in order to compete with the Western Conference’s best teams, they’re going to need more offensive firepower.
Korver’s sharpshooting ability would certainly give the Pelicans an added weapon to better contend in the Western Conference.
For the Cavs, Solomon Hill could be a valuable addition if he’s able to build upon his several solid performances from last season’s postseason. The 6-foot-7 small forward missed the majority of the 2017-18 regular season following a proximal hamstring tear. He came back by the end of the regular season, however, and was able to contribute in both of the Pelicans’ playoff series.
The 2018-19 season would be a great opportunity for Hill to prove that he is back to 100 percent health and is ready to continue his development.
