OKC Thunder take down Cleveland to claim fourth seed – 3 takeaways

Korver returns to Utah:

I’m imagining Thunderous Intentions writer Lawrence George (who is currently on vacation) likely screamed when he saw the news Kyle Korver is returning to the Utah Jazz. Korver was long a target of George’s for the Thunder. The fact the Jazz got him for what seems like a steal is even more frustrating. To wit, Alec Burks and two second rounders sure seem like a small price to pay.

More from Thunderous Intentions

• Stealing one player from every Southwest Division team for the OKC Thunder
• Should the OKC Thunder chase after a disgruntled hometown hero?
• 3 OKC Thunder players who can step up in Aleksej Pokusevski’s absence
• Aleksej Pokusevski sidelined approximately 6 weeks with ankle injury
• Damian Lillard does not fit with the OKC Thunder

In terms of how this affects the Jazz, they are shooting the 3-ball with an efficiency of 31.9 percent which ranks them 28th in the NBA. For what it’s worth (and why George was so keen to add Korver to OKC) the Thunder rank dead last shooting the long ball at a 30.7 percent efficiency.

Since the Jazz are in the west and the Northwest Division this pickup stings a bit more than it should. There should be an immediate payout for Utah as they can feature lineups with Joe Ingles, Korver and Donovan Mitchell all on the floor with each capitalizing. Let’s assume the Jazz improve defensively from their current 13th rating and suddenly this one addition may be the reason we cite if they get back into the playoff mix.

It still would’ve been far easier for the Thunder to hide Korver within their top rated defense.  Perhaps Sam Presti couldn’t rationalize giving up future prospects and/or picks to land the 37 year old Korver. Yet, it’s hard not to imagine Korver couldn’t push the Thunder out of the perimeter basement.

That’s it for three takeaways. Albeit, not your typical fodder, but nonetheless relevant storylines tied to the two squads and the game.

Next up the Thunder play another lottery bound squad, the Atlanta Hawks on Friday as they finish the four game home segment.