Atlanta Hawks

Hawks' Kyle Korver 'definitely hopeful' he'll be back by training camp

Published Jul. 30, 2015 5:13 p.m. ET

foxsports

If the Atlanta Hawks are to take the next step from Eastern Conference finalist to vying for a championship, they'll need better luck on the injury front than they had at the end of the 2014-15 season. And that starts with Kyle Korver's recovery from surgeries on his right ankle and right elbow.

The ankle injury was a result of the play in the Eastern Conference finals in which Cleveland Cavaliers guard Matthew Dellavedova collided with Korver's lower body. The elbow, meanwhile, was a procedure to remove "loose bodies" that had caused the Hawks wing discomfort during the season. And Korver told Chris Vivlamore of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution that he's recovering well and hopes to be back for training camp:

"I’m doing OK," Korver said. "… Both ankle and elbow are progressing fine. I’m definitely hopeful that they will be ready to go by camp."

Vivlamore reports that the Hawks will begin their season with a media day on September 28, a little less than two months away.

With the departure of DeMarre Carroll, Korver's floor spacing because even more valuable for the Hawks, at least until one of the other wings proves that he must be respected by NBA defenses. But if Korver can't move around screens with the same agility, or if his elbow is bothering him, Atlanta could get off to a slow start. Fortunately for everyone, Korver has a fair bit of time to continue recuperating.

(h/t Atlanta Journal-Constitution)