Atlanta Hawks shooting guard Kyle Korver. (Photo : Getty Images)
The NBA trade rumors will eventually lead to actual trades and the first domino of the Atlanta Hawks has fallen.
Kyle Korver is reportedly on his way to Conference rival Cleveland Cavaliers. ESPN writer Brian Windhorst reported details of the negotiations.
"The Cavaliers and Hawks are in deep discussions on a deal that would send veteran shooter Kyle Korver to Cleveland, sources confirmed to ESPN on Thursday. Under the current framework of the trade, the Cavs will send Mo Williams, Mike Dunleavy and a protected 2019 first-round pick to Atlanta for Korver, sources said."
The Cavaliers were specifically looking for a back-up point guard but they could use another shooter. Thus, it is probably not the last trade for the Cavs this season.
The Atlanta Hawks will also be more active as it is believed that Korver is only the first domino to fall. Paul Millsap and Thabo Sefolosha are also on the block.
As reported by Shams Carania of The Vertical, the Hawks are "engaged in discussions with several teams on forward Paul Millsap, who can become a free agent in July, and the organization is motivated to move him sooner rather than later, sources said. Toronto, Denver and Sacramento are among teams with an interest in Millsap, league sources said."
Among the reported teams, Sacramento may be at a disadvantage because they don't have valuable trade assets. Toronto is the best fit for Millsap and they may build a trade package around Terrence Ross. However, the Denver Nuggets need a star and they have a lot of assets.
A package can be built on Jusuf Nurkic who recently complained about his limited playing time. Danilo Gallinari, Wilson Chandler or Kenneth Faried are also possible trade pieces.
The Hawks don't want to start from scratch especially after they signed Dwight Howard last summer and Dennis Schroder establishing himself. They need some talent in return for their veteran pieces. Carania also speculates that the Hawks may even package Dunleavy along with their battalion of second round picks to acquire another player.
That depends on the package they could get for Millsap whose trade value is diminished because of his status as an impending free agent.
