The Nets Sold Kyle Korver In 2003 For Summer League And A Copy Machine

Kyle Korver, Jared Sullinger
Kyle Korver (AP)
Kyle Korver, Jared Sullinger
Kyle Korver (AP)

An incredible profile of Atlanta Hawks sharpshooter Kyle Korver by Zach Lowe of Grantland begins with Korver’s humble NBA beginnings, as a 51st overall pick by the New Jersey Nets in the 2003 NBA Draft. The Nets were unenthused with Korver and already had an off-the-bench shooter in Lucious Harris, so they sold him to the Philadelphia 76ers.

How did that move pan out?

With none of their preferred choices on the board, the Nets brass selected Creighton forward Kyle Korver with the 51st pick — and immediately sold his draft rights to the Sixers for $125,000. That covered summer league. With the leftover cash, the Nets bought a new copy machine.

Korver has since blossomed into one of the league’s premier shooters. He led the NBA in three-point percentage last season by hitting threes at a .472 clip, and has shot a ridiculous .455 from deep since the 2009 season. His shooting, along with the NBA’s increasing reliance on floor spacers, means that Korver will compete for a spot on the US Men’s Basketball National Team for the FIBA World Cup.

It’s not exactly the Red Sox selling Babe Ruth, and hindsight is 20-20, but Korver was a deadeye shooter in college — he shot 48 percent from the college three-point line his senior season. I think I’d take one of the league’s best shooters ever over a 2003-era copy machine and the right to watch Zoran Planinic in Boston in July.

The Nets 2003 Summer League team went 5-1, losing only to the Spurs (because of course). The roster included names like current YES Network broadcaster Donny Marshall and NBA redheaded legend Brian Scalabrine.

The copier’s performance is unknown at this time.

Grantland — Kyle Korver: An Offense Unto Himself