PHOENIX: Kyle Korver sat in the trainer’s room Sunday saying hello to old faces and new alike. Larry Drew, his old coach with the Hawks, stopped in to say hello. So did LeBron James, Richard Jefferson and Channing Frye.
That’s the extent of Korver’s availability, at least for now.
Korver couldn’t play and wasn’t even permitted to sit on the Cavaliers bench for their game against the Phoenix Suns. The Cavs have satisfied all of their obligations, but the Atlanta Hawks have not.
Mike Dunleavy has yet to report to the Hawks because he wants a buyout, ESPN.com reported Sunday. The Hawks want to keep him. The impasse cannot block the trade, only delay it. Dunleavy must report to Atlanta by Monday, unless the two sides agree to an extension, or risk being fined/suspended.
The Cavs are scheduled to practice at 2 p.m. EST in Phoenix on Monday and remain hopeful the Hawks’ side of the deal can be completed in time for Korver to join them on the floor. Even if he doesn’t, however, he should be able to participate in Tuesday’s morning shootaround at Utah and coach Tyronn Lue said he would then play against the Jazz even without practicing.
Korver was typically limited in his games against the Cavs because they built their entire defensive scheme around slowing him.
“He’s one of the best shooters of all time, so you can add that to your roster you’re gonna add it,” Lue said. “Even though they had Jeff Teague and [Paul] Millsap and Al Horford, when they won 60 games, the biggest fear for us is for Korver. Knowing you can’t leave him, knowing you’ve got to be with him at all times because he’ll shoot the ball and you’ve got to be aware. No matter how great the other three guys were, always focused in and locked in on taking Korver out of the game because he meant a big part to that team.”
Korver and General Manager David Griffin will not talk to the media until the trade is completed.
McRae stays put
Jordan McRae survived cut-down day across the NBA. Players on non-guaranteed contracts, such as McRae and DeAndre Liggins, had to be waived by Saturday in order to clear waivers before their contracts become fully guaranteed.
Liggins’ spot was all but assured once he moved into the starting lineup following J.R. Smith’s fractured thumb, but McRae’s spot seemed to be in question. Not to Lue, however.
“I told you guys that he would be here,” Lue said. “It’s great for him, for Liggins, for young guys to make the team, just shows all the hard work they’ve put in. They continue to grow as players, get better and better, so I’m happy for them.”
Just because McRae survived the contract guarantee date doesn’t mean he’ll last the season in Cleveland. He could still be included in a trade, similar to how Jared Cunningham survived the non-guarantee date last season only to be later traded. McRae and Kyrie Irving beat the team to the arena for extra shots prior to Sunday’s morning walkthrough.
Lue said he did not have a conversation with Griffin about McRae and Liggins because it wasn’t necessary.
“It didn’t even come up. We knew we were going to keep those guys,” Lue said. “Two great young talents we like on this team, like what they bring to this team. Just happy that those guys are here on an NBA roster, they’re going to be on the team for rest of the season.”
Dribbles
James on Sunday became the 14th player in NBA history to score 10,000 field goals in his career. … He began the night 11 assists shy of passing Tim Hardaway (7,095) for 15th on the all-time list. … The Cavs began the night fourth in the league in scoring, averaging 110 points per game. They’re 18-0 when reaching their average.
Jason Lloyd can be reached at jlloyd@thebeaconjournal.com.