Kyle Korver’s departure from Atlanta creates a prime opportunity for a reunion. His front-office experience and legendary shooting mechanics could accelerate player development for a rebuilding roster.
Kyle Korver is officially looking for his next opportunity, and the Chicago Bulls should at least consider picking up the phone.
Marc Stein reported Monday that Korver is leaving the Atlanta Hawks’ front office after four seasons with the organization. Korver reportedly leaves Atlanta on good terms and is excited about the next chapter of his post-playing career.
If that next chapter happens to bring him back to Chicago, there would be plenty of reasons for the Bulls to be interested.
Korver already has one obvious connection to the franchise. He spent three seasons with the Bulls from 2007-10, emerging as one of the league's premier perimeter shooters before eventually becoming an All-Star with Atlanta. More importantly, though, Korver now has a second connection to Chicago.
March 4, 2011; Orlando FL, USA; Chicago Bulls shooting guard Kyle Korver (26) and Chicago Bulls power forward Carlos Boozer (5) react during the second half against the Orlando Magic at Amway Center. Chicago Bulls defeated Orlando Magic 89-81. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY SportsHe worked alongside Bryson Graham in Atlanta.
Graham left the Hawks earlier this offseason to become the Bulls' Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations, putting him in charge of a basketball operation that is entering a new era.
Now, Graham's former colleague is suddenly available.
That doesn't mean the Bulls should immediately hire Korver as an executive. But it does make the possibility of bringing him into the organization considerably more interesting.
Korver's resume as a shooter speaks for itself. He made 2,450 three-pointers during his 17-year NBA career and shot 42.9% from beyond the arc. He ranks among the NBA's all-time leaders in both categories and owns the league's best single-season three-point percentage after shooting an absurd 53.6% for Utah in 2009-10. He also led the NBA in three-point percentage four times.
But perhaps even more important than the numbers is what Korver has done since retiring.
Atlanta initially brought him into its organization in 2022 as director of player affairs and development before promoting him to assistant general manager in 2023. He therefore spent four seasons learning the business side of basketball while remaining involved with player development and talent evaluation.
That combination could make him particularly valuable to the Bulls.
Chicago has a clear need for shooting. The Bulls shot just 35.6% from three last season, 19th in the NBA, while finishing 31-51.
Matas Buzelis made significant strides as a perimeter shooter and finished with a team-high 173 three-pointers, but the Bulls still need to surround their young core with players who can consistently punish defenses from the outside.
That's where a potential Korver role gets particularly intriguing.
Maybe Chicago doesn't need Korver to be a traditional front-office executive. Maybe it needs him as a shooting and player-development specialist.
Dec. 1, 2010; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls shooting guard Kyle Korver (26) drives past Orlando Magic power forward Brandon Bass (30) in the second half at the United Center. The Magic defeated the Bulls 107-78. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY SportsImagine Korver working with Buzelis, Caleb Wilson, Dailyn Swain and the rest of Chicago's young players on the details that made him such an effective shooter: footwork, balance, movement without the ball, shot preparation and understanding when and where to get shots off.
A former elite shooter teaching those skills would make plenty of sense.
And if Graham believes Korver's strengths extend beyond shooting development, there is an even bigger opportunity.
Korver spent the last four years learning how to evaluate talent and operate within an NBA front office. He wasn't simply a former player hanging around the organization. He was promoted to assistant general manager and had a role in Atlanta's basketball operations.
That makes him an intriguing potential addition to Graham's new front office.
There is, of course, no indication that the Bulls are pursuing Korver. This is purely a logical connection based on his availability, his history with Chicago and his relationship with Graham.
Still, sometimes the most interesting hires are the ones that make sense from multiple angles.
Korver knows the Bulls. He knows Graham. He knows player development. He understands the front office. And, perhaps most importantly for this particular roster, he knows shooting better than almost anyone who has ever played the game.
If the Bulls are serious about building an organization that develops its young talent rather than simply acquiring it, Korver would be a fascinating person to have in the building.
Whether that means a shooting-specific role, a player-development position or another front-office job under Graham, Chicago should at least explore the possibility.
Kyle Korver may be leaving Atlanta.
But perhaps his next NBA chapter could bring him right back to Chicago.
