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Jazz trade Giricek, 1st rounder for Kyle Korver

Just a day after the Utah Jazz reinstated Gordon Giricek for an argument with coach Jerry Sloan, the team traded the Croatian shooting guard to the Philadelphia Sixers for Kyle Korver. The Jazz also threw in a protected first-rounder for Korver.

On Thursday, Giricek, Sloan and Jazz GM Kevin O’Connor met to discuss the situation. The three came to the conclusion that Giricek should be reinstated. Sloan said he wanted the team to “move forward,” although it now looks like he meant that the team would continue without Giricek, whom the Jazz acquired from the Orlando Magic for DeShawn Stevenson during 2004 deadline trade.

Giricek was in uniform to play against the Los Angeles Lakers last night, but didn’t get in the game. It was speculated that this was because Giricek had not practiced with the team for eight days, but Giricek seemed unfazed that he didn’t get any minutes during a blowout loss to the Lakers — perhaps because he knew it was his last game with the team.

Giricek is in the last year of his contract, so he drew several possible suitors for a trade because he would give a team so salary cap flexibility.

Meanwhile, the Jazz acquire a much-needed three-point shooter. Although the team has several capable shooters, no Jazzman is a consistent three-point shooter. When Korver’s on the floor, defenses will have to choose between respecting his shot and doubling Boozer in the low post.


Both players are strongly offensive-minded, and neither will have a tremendous impact immediately, but both teams were looking to make a deal. After the Jazz were looking to make a trade after another Giricek/Sloan episode and a long losing streak, the Jazz wanted to try and shake up their roster. Philadelphia is looking for salary cap flexibility as they develop their young roster.

The two players should make their debut against each other, when the Jazz and Sixers play each other on Wednesday.

4 Comments »

  John King wrote @ December 29th, 2007 at 3:17 pm

Both these players suck. It is a trade which both teams will get a half ass player and the sixers will cut money from the cap. Both suck at defense too. Sixers are preparing for a hot summer where the team will become a force once again in the east, after they can Divison 2 coach Cheeks

  trojanpg28 wrote @ December 29th, 2007 at 7:01 pm

Kyle Korver is a lot better player then Giricek. The Sixers are just asking to finish worst than the Heat in the East. Korver is just another piece of the championship puzzle for the Jazz.

  leo wrote @ January 3rd, 2008 at 2:33 pm

john have you ever seen kyle korver play?

  la287 wrote @ January 3rd, 2008 at 2:53 pm

I don’t think the Jazz expected this to be a “championship” deal. Face it, the majority of the players who are amazing defenders can’t score. The best scorers can’t defend. Those who do both are making $10 million a year…

A big reason — probably the only reason that the Jazz made a trade instead of waiting for his contract to expire — is that Giricek was killing the team’s chemistry. He’s one of the players who Deron Williams said took their vacation while the team was still player. Now that Kirilenko is protected from Jerry Sloan by team owner Larry Miller, who’s going to be in Coach Sloan’s doghouse?

Maybe Kyle Korver isn’t an awesome player, but he fits with with the Jazz philosophy far better than Giricek.

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