Many NBA teams will be looking for a three-point sharpshooter this off-season. Arguably the most coveted of the bunch, has been taken off the market, according to ESPN.com citing league sources.
The Atlanta Hawks and guard Kyle Korver reportedly agreed to a four year, approximately $24 million deal Wednesday night. Korver played with the Hawks last season but decided to test the waters of free agency before deciding to return to the Hawks.
Korver was courted by other teams including the San Antonio Spurs, Brooklyn Nets and Milwaukee Bucks.
The Nets reportedly offered Korver slightly less than $10 million for three years. The Bucks also offered Korver a three-year deal but for about $21 million. Sources say he turned both offers down.
Korver presents a key offensive piece for which many teams are searching. The nine year vet is a marksman from behind the three-point line shooting 45 percent from behind the arc during the 2012-2013 regular season. For his career he is a 41 percent shooter from downtown. In a league where many teams love to have the offensive option to drive and kick to an open three point shooter, having someone who is automatic from the three point line is a huge plus.
A sharpshooter is such a coveted asset this offseason that Korver is not even the highest paid marksman. Former Milwaukee Buck J.J. Redick is getting a four year, $27 million deal from the Los Angeles Clippers. Redick was traded from the Orlando Magic to the Bucks in the middle of last season.
Reddick was a part of a three-way trade between the Clippers, Bucks and Phoenix Suns.
Reddick, a college basketball sharpshooting legend at Duke University, is not as good as Korver but still an above average shooter. He shot 36 percent from distance last season and has a career percentage of 39.
With forward Blake Griffin and center DeAndre Jordan looking to catch alley oops and create posters in the paint, Reddick gives the Clippers imperative spacing and another option for superstar point guard Chris Paul.
*All stats according to ESPN.com.
