The J-Notes
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Utah Jazz: Grading the Kyle Korver trade

By Jared Woodcox

DETROIT, MI - NOVEMBER 19: Kyle Korver #26 of the Cleveland Cavaliers reacts to a play during the game against the Detroit Pistons on November 19, 2018 at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Chris Schwegler/NBAE via Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI - NOVEMBER 19: Kyle Korver #26 of the Cleveland Cavaliers reacts to a play during the game against the Detroit Pistons on November 19, 2018 at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Chris Schwegler/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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CLEVELAND, OH – MAY 21: Kyle Korver #26 of the Cleveland Cavaliers reacts after a foul is called in the fourth quarter against the Boston Celtics during Game Four of the 2018 NBA Eastern Conference Finals at Quicken Loans Arena on May 21, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH – MAY 21: Kyle Korver #26 of the Cleveland Cavaliers reacts after a foul is called in the fourth quarter against the Boston Celtics during Game Four of the 2018 NBA Eastern Conference Finals at Quicken Loans Arena on May 21, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

The Bad

Before we dive into some of the concerns about Korver, let’s chat first about what Utah had to give up to get him. Sure, the second-round picks had some value, but overall (especially considering how recent Jazz second-round picks have panned out) losing those wasn’t too big a deal. However, losing Alec Burks does sting somewhat.

Yes, he’d been injured for much of his Jazz tenure and never showed consistency in decision making, scoring or defense, but Burks still had his pros. He was actually off to a better shooting start than just about any other wing player on the team and outside of Donovan Mitchell, he was the only player that could really create his own shot.

Some may feel that trading away the young, athletic Burks for an aging Korver was a poor decision. There’s certainly an argument to be had there. However, considering that the Jazz likely would not have re-signed Burks at the conclusion of this season anyway, his loss isn’t all that detrimental. It may hurt the Jazz in certain circumstances during the 2018-19 campaign, but more than anything they needed shooting. That’s what they got in Korver, and they were clearly willing to do whatever it took to get it.

With that said, while Burks will be missed, it’s not hard to see why the Jazz would make that sacrifice.

In terms of the bad aspects of Korver’s game, I’ve already touched on them all in some regard. Principal among them are his age, defense and arguably his contract. At 37 years old, Korver isn’t nearly as athletic or explosive as he once was, and that was always a pretty low bar. That will result in some tough defensive matchups for him, and it’s completely possible that he’ll start to fall off in the not-too-distant future.

The Jazz will hope he has enough left in his tank to propel them for the remainder of this season, if not a little longer beyond that.

While I do like his defensive effort, he’s certainly not a lockdown guy by any means, which goes against Utah’s recent reputation in a big way. When other teams get Korver in a switch, it could mean trouble for the Jazz, and it will certainly be an adjustment to what they’re used to with a team that consists of several defensive aces.

Lastly, his contract does have an extra year on it which cuts ever so slightly into Utah’s financial flexibility this offseason which has been viewed as extremely prized for quite some time. I honestly don’t think that will be too large of an issue, but it’s still at least worth mentioning.

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