Korver Open to Returning to Bulls

[PSSSHHHRRR87]

Looks like we may have trouble retaining him:

http://basketball.realgm.com/article/226356/Kyle-Korver-Freed-With-Hawks-Open-To-Bulls-Return

MILWAUKEE – Kyle Korver still misses elements of his two seasons with
the Chicago Bulls, the team camaraderie, the cohesive goal toward
winning, and even the relentless Tom Thibodeau. He’s adjusted smoothly
so far in his first season with the Atlanta Hawks, playing the most
minutes since his third season while shooting and passing freely.

There’s less control over every little detail that Korver enjoys now.
He learned immensely from Thibodeau – gaining sharp techniques
defensively and fitting into a systematic offense – but has enjoyed more
minutes and assuming more of a leadership role.

The Bulls traded Korver last offseason to save money toward the
salary cap, a move that sent away their best three-point shooter who
easily clicked with Derrick Rose. Ranking sixth-worst in three-point
shooting percentage, Chicago has badly missed Korver.

All along, Korver felt a trade out of Chicago could come, and when he
left last year, it was on good terms. Korver will be a free agent this
offseason, and there’s little doubt that the Bulls will at least make a
pitch to sign him – just like many other NBA teams. And should he
receive that call from the Bulls, Korver made clear he would consider
returning.

“Totally, I would,” Korver told RealGM on Saturday night. “That’s a
great organization, that’s an awesome jersey to put on. Great fans, good
team. You only get to be a free agent so many times in a career, so
I’ll definitely see what’s all there. But I would absolutely listen to
what they’ve got to say.”

Just one game in the win column separates the Bulls and Hawks, and
Korver knows the threat his former team poses. For his part, Rose was an
advocate of Korver over the past two seasons, both guards benefiting
from the facets of their repertories that capitalizes each other best –
dribble penetration and outside shooting. As much as anyone, Rose would
have loved for Korver to stay with the Bulls.

Before the two teams played each other earlier this month, Korver and
Rose caught up on their recently born children – Rose’s son, Korver’s
daughter – and the 2011 MVP’s torn ACL rehabilitation. Korver is
confident that Rose will return at some point this season but
understands the tempering of expectations needed for it to be a seamless
comeback.

“Especially where the Bulls are at right now, there’s no need for him
to rush back,” Korver said. “To catch an extra five games? It’s just
about him being mentally confident and then having some court time and
going into the playoffs to see what happens.”

Rose recently said he won’t return until he is 110 percent, hinting
toward the prospect of missing the entire season. In Korver’s mind,
progress toward return from Rose had been expected too much, too soon,
and there’s a solidified plan in place to ensure that 110 percent mark.

“He’s got some good voices around him and the organization has
supported him with whatever he needs,” Korver said. “He’s going to make
sure he’s 110 percent before he comes back.

“There’s a lot of buildup for when he’s coming back and it creates a
lot of pressure. I think all he was saying was, ‘I’m going to make sure
that I’m 110 percent.’ He’s not trying to make a big deal about anything
… just wants to wait until he’s 110 percent. And he should.”

Through new teammates and a new environment, Korver has shown
versatility in playing two different systems. More minutes have led to
increased production, and he’s tried to lead in the Hawks’ locker room
this season, being the oldest player on the roster at 31. “I’m the
oldest guy on our team, so I try to share when I can, things that you’ve
picked up over the years,” he said.

When the Eastern Conference standings comes up, Korver knows the
Hawks have the opportunity not only to make the playoffs, but also
further elevate their seeding.

With the Bulls, Korver had always seen his team as on the Miami
Heat’s level. Now, he’s just in the mix of teams – including those Bulls
– jockeying for stature behind the Heat.

“There’s a nice little cluster after Miami,” Korver said. “You want
to be playing your best basketball by the end of the season and I think
over the course of the last couple months, we’re seeing who we have to
be to be successful. So I think it’ll be good for us these last 28 games
to find a rhythm and establish a brand of basketball.”

[TheNorthCydeRises]

So will the Hawks have to overpay to retain Kyle Korver?

If we have to overpay to retain our OWN free agents, what does that say about the other free agents out there?

[Ruckus]

So will the Hawks have to overpay to retain Kyle Korver? If we have to overpay to retain our OWN free agents, what does that say about the other free agents out there?

Exactly. I think Korver is worth throwing some dollars to. Assuming we get some of the other pieces we are missing. He's the type of player winning teams have on their roster.

[TheTruth]

I like Korver, but it is very bad business to overpay for a player like that. Love his skillset, but if we are ever going to grow significantly, it won't be by grossly overpaying players like Korver.

[Ruckus]

I like Korver, but it is very bad business to overpay for a player like that. Love his skillset, but if we are ever going to grow significantly, it won't be by grossly overpaying players like Korver.

Might be right but there aren't that many reliable shooters in the league. Korver has been single handedly responsible for a good amount of wins this season. Not saying grossly overpay him but in a production based business, he has proved his worth this season. He is worth it to a contender, maybe not us though.

[Guest]

What do you expect Korver to say? "No, I do not want to go to team X Y and Z." That limits the number of bidders for his service and is just dumb. Even if you will not go to Milwaukee in free agency, you do not want anyone to know this because it limits your options.

[yungsta]

if we have to overpay to keep him let him go. No more overpaying role players.

[Jody23]

I hope Korver sticks around, but not at the expense of over paying him.

[Ruckus]

Pretty safe to say he won't be here next season then. Why else would he want to stay here? I'm not saying max him just entice.

[Gray Mule]

Mathmatical fact: You can't have more than 100% because that's all there is.

Rose is saying, I've got to be 110% of being perfect. Hah. Let him try. We hear

all these otherwise smart people who don't really know their math.

We hear: That player gives 120% all the time. Bullfeathers. We know what they

really mean, they strive to reach 100% but, since that would be absolutely perfect,

they can't really do that.

I sincerely hope we can retain Korver. He's good!

[Plainview1981]

So will the Hawks have to overpay to retain Kyle Korver?

If we have to overpay to retain our OWN free agents, what does that say about the other free agents out there?

This team has to overpay nearly everyone that isn't a minor level player. Nobody really wants to play here and there is no reason to believe that will change anytime soon.

Fans of other teams always tell me that I should just be happy if the team makes the playoffs. If that's so awesome, how come it's not enough to get players to sign here at a fair price?

Edited February 24, 2013 by Hotlanta1981

[turnermx]

I think some of you are reading too much into it. What do you expect Korver to say? he will be a free agent. I expect Ferry to make the right decision in regards to him. He won't get paid as much as you think because with the new CBA role players will not get paid big contracts by anyone, imo.

[Wretch]

Korver is a solid piece and will be sought after come free agency. But for us, retaining him is not so important that we have to break the bank on him. If and when we are ready to...contend...there will always be players like him out there. More importantly, if we have our shit together, those players will be looking at us.

(...and yes, he would return to Chicgao.)

[GameTime]

Elite shooter and poor defender getting the max.... where do I sign up?

[PSSSHHHRRR87]

I think some of you are reading too much into it. What do you expect Korver to say? he will be a free agent. I expect Ferry to make the right decision in regards to him. He won't get paid as much as you think because with the new CBA role players will not get paid big contracts by anyone, imo.

I agree that you don't ever shoot down an opportunity or burn bridges, but a simple "yes" would have answered the question. In the way he answered the question, it seems as if the Bulls offered him a contract this offseason, he'd pounce on it in a second. I guarantee you his answer would have been different if they asked him if he would play for the Mavs, Hawks, or Pistons next season.

[TheFuzz]

Korver has the most value to contenders. I love the guy, but he'll probably head to a contender. Hopefully that means a sign and trade is necessary and we can get something in return.

Edit: Also, we still have Jenkins. We'll have a shooter on the cheap no matter what.

Edited February 24, 2013 by TheFuzz

[Ruckus]

Elite shooter and poor defender getting the max.... where do I sign up?

To this forum there is like 5% of the league that can play defense. Every one else is garbage. Korver isn't a horrible defender like some on here say. And who said anything about max?

[TheNorthCydeRises]

I agree that you don't ever shoot down an opportunity or burn bridges, but a simple "yes" would have answered the question. In the way he answered the question, it seems as if the Bulls offered him a contract this offseason, he'd pounce on it in a second. I guarantee you his answer would have been different if they asked him if he would play for the Mavs, Hawks, or Pistons next season.

Yeah, that's the way I took his answer.

Had he'd been in Philly ( a place where he's played before ) and some Philly reporter asked him that, he may have said something like "Well I'm familiar with the Sixers organization and Philadelphia. They are a class organization. So anything is possible".

[benhillboy]

Looking at his numbers and age, I think it's almost impossible to expect him to repeat this season's efficiency. Third in true shooting among SFs who play 30 minutes behind KD and LeBron? Yeah right. I'm glad I got to see him have his best season in a Hawks uniform and would love to see him back and wouldn't mind a few extra mill being spent on him. In a three point happy league, he sets the standard. Dude just has a winning style of play.

Edited February 25, 2013 by benhillboy

[macdaddy]

I think Korver is great but he is not a good defender. But its not for lack of effort. I'd love to have him back but i agree that we shouldn't roll out huge money but i don't think it wil take huge money to do that. Seriously though the difference betwene Korver and Jenkins at this point, or even between Korver and guys like morrow and harris is probably bigger than the difference between Morrow and Smoove at jump shooting. The guy's is money. You know if he gets his feet set its going in.