Jazz deal Giricek to 76ers for Korver

Dec 29, 2007 - 6:30 PM PHILADELPHIA (Ticker) -- Gordan Giricek will not have to deal with Jerry Sloan anymore.

The Utah Jazz finally parted ways with Giricek on Saturday, trading the disgruntled guard to the Philadelphia 76ers for guard Kyle Korver.

Philadelphia also received a protected first-round draft selection in the deal, which signalled the end of Giricek's rocky tenure with the Jazz.

The trade came 10 days after Giricek was sent home by Sloan after the duo argued on the bench during a road game against the Charlotte Bobcats.

Giricek, who will be a free agent after this season, reportedly had asked Jazz general manager Kevin O'Connor to trade him several times.

"We made a trade which we feel improves our team this year," O'Connor said Saturday.

Giricek, 30, has struggled mightily this season, averaging a career-low 4.3 points while seeing limited playing time in 22 games for Utah.

Long-growing tensions between Sloan and Giricek boiled over during a timeout in the second quarter of a 98-92 loss to the Bobcats on December 19. The pair started arguing almost immediately after the timeout was called, and Sloan eventually banished Giricek to the locker room.

After the game, Sloan ordered the Giricek to return to team headquarters in Salt Lake City. Utah's coach for the last 20 seasons, Sloan did not comment on the altercation with Giricek, who claimed he did not do anything wrong.

Following a three-game absence, Giricek returned to the team Friday but did not play in a 123-109 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers. After meeting with Giricek prior to the game, Sloan told reporters that he ultimately planned to return the Croatian to the rotation.

But less than 24 hours later, Giricek is headed to Philadelphia, which likely will shed his $4 million salary this offseason.

"We are excited about acquiring a player of Gordan's ability, as well as an additional asset in the form of a first-round draft pick," Sixers general manager Ed Stefanski said. "This move will provide us with increased salary cap flexibility this offseason and also allows us to continue our evaluation and development of the young talent we have on this team."

A six-year veteran, Giricek has spent parts of the last five seasons with the Jazz, averaging 8.9 points and 2.1 rebounds in 226 games with Utah.

The 6-6 Giricek owns career averages of 9.8 points and 2.5 rebounds in 350 games with the Jazz, Orlando Magic and Memphis Grizzlies.

Korver, 26, is averaging 10.0 points and 2.9 rebounds in 25 games this season. One of the NBA's top perimeter shooters over the last five years, Korver has struggled from 3-point range this season, shooting a career-worst 35.2 percent.

The 6-6 Korver has spent his entire five-year career with the Sixers, averaging 10.5 points and 3.2 rebounds in 337 games. The Lakewood, California native is second on Philadelphia's all-time franchise list for 3-pointers made (661) and is a career 41 percent shooter from the arc.

"On behalf of the entire Sixers organization, I want to thank Kyle for the positive impact he has made on this team and the city of Philadelphia through his play on the court and, even more importantly, his philanthropic efforts off of it," Stefanski said.