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On Friday, they supposedly broke the bread of peace. On Saturday, they went their separate ways.  Such is the NBA life.

Yesterday, Gordon Giricek and coach Jerry Sloan forged a tenuous truce, allowing the disgruntled guard to return to the Utah Jazz after a three game suspension. Today, Utah traded Giricek, and a first round draft pick, to the Philadelphia 76ers in exchange for Kyle Korver.

As we suspected at HoopsVibe The Blog, the Giricek-Sloan ceasefire was a precursor to more significant changes occurring.  Here is a breakdown of this trade:

Why Utah Made This Move:

• Reports indicate Giricek’s attitude was destroying the Jazz. He was returning from a well-publicized suspension. And who do you think Deron Williams was referring to when he publicly called out teammates following last year’s Western Conference Finals?  

• Utah needs an outside bomber. Korver, who is having an off-year, should find his form with the Jazz and prevent defenses from collapsing on Deron Williams and Carlos Boozer.

Why Philadelphia Made This Move:

• Financial flexibility is key. Korver didn’t fit in the Sixers’ future, so they shipped his three year, 15 million dollar deal to the Jazz for Giricek’s expiring contract. Next year, Philadelphia is well under the cap, with just 35 million dollars in committed salary.

• Korver was in a prolonged slump. The wing was shooting below 40% from the floor and his scoring average had fallen by four points per game from last season. Worst of all, he was no longer providing his typical off-the-bench spark. A change was needed.

• Philadelphia can use the first round pick to add another youngster to their developing core or package it in a trade.

Winner: Even. Utah got the best player, but expiring contracts and first round draft picks are always useful. Philadelphia, after years of ineptitude and dysfunction, is  finally heading in the right direction.        

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