If there was ever a question that great shooters will have a significant place in Danny Ferry's plan for the Atlanta Hawks, the re-signing of guard Kyle Korver should answer it.
Although the deal cannot be finalized until July 10, a date which signifies the end of the NBA's moratorium on trades and free-agent signings, Korver is believed to have a four-year, $24 million contract agreement in place with the Hawks, according to an ESPN report. Korver acknowledged the agreement in an interview with the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, saying "I believe in what Danny is building. I do. And I'm excited to play my role in that."
The 32-year-old attracted interest from various franchises this off-season after shooting 45.7 percent from 3-point range, the second-best rate in the league (Jose Calderon, 46.1 percent). Korver averaged 10.9 points per game in 60 starts last season.
He also averaged four rebounds (the second-highest rate of his career) and two assists.
Since entering the league in 2003-04 with the Philadelphia 76ers, Korver, a career 42 percent shooter on 3-pointers (12th all-time), has established himself as one of the premier long-range shooters in the league -- arguably the very best around.
Ferry, the Hawks general manager who is trying to mold the organization into a San Antonio Spurs-like vision, clearly likes the way Korver spaces the floor for his offense, like Danny Green was able to do for Gregg Popvich's Spurs roster throughout the playoffs. Not coincidentally, the Spurs (along with the Bucks) were rumored to be considering bringing on Korver this off-season.
The deal will keep Korver signed until age 36.
Now, the question: Who exactly will Korver be spacing the floor for?
