Philadelphia 76ers President and General Manager Ed Stefanski announced today that the Sixers have acquired guard Gordan Giricek and a first-round pick from the Utah Jazz in exchange for guard Kyle Korver.

“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,” Stefanski said. “This move will provide us with increased salary cap flexibility this off-season and also allows us to continue our evaluation and development of the young talent we have on this team.”

In his sixth NBA season, Giricek has appeared in 350 games with 191 starts and has posted averages of 9.8 points, 2.5 rebounds and 1.5 assists in 23.6 minutes per game. This season, the 6’6”, 220-pound guard has played in 22 games and averaged 4.3 points and 1.7 rebounds in 12.7 minutes per game, while shooting 40.2% (40-104) from the field and 35.3% (12-34) from three-point range.

The Croatian native was acquired by the Jazz on February 19, 2004 from Orlando and appeared in 226 games for Utah, where he compiled averages of 8.9 points, 2.1 rebounds and 1.4 assists in 20.7 minutes per game.

Giricek played for the Croatian National Team in the 2005 European Championships and was named to the 2005 All-Eurobasket Second Team. He also competed in the 1998, 1999, 2000 and 2001 Croatian League All-Star Games (named MVP of the 1998 and 2000 All-Star Games). Additionally, he was named to the NBA All-Rookie Second Team and during the 2003 All-Star Weekend, he competed in the got Milk? Rookie Challenge and won the Rookie Hoopz Skills competition.

Currently in his fifth NBA season, Korver (6-7, 210, Creighton) has appeared in 337 regular season games, all with Philadelphia, and owns career averages of 10.5 points, 3.2 rebounds, 1.6 assists while hitting .409 from three-point range. He appeared in 25 games this season for the 76ers, averaging 10.0 points, 2.9 rebounds and 1.3 assists in 26.3 minutes.

Korver holds the 76ers franchise record for three-pointers made in a season (226 in 2004-05) and owns three of the franchise’s top-10 single-season marks for three-point accuracy. Korver also ranks second on the team’s career list for three-pointers made (661) and has twice been selected to participate in the NBA All-Star Weekend Three-Point Shootout.

Originally selected by the New Jersey Nets in the second round (51st overall pick) of the 2003 NBA Draft, Korver’s rights were traded to Philadelphia in a draft-night deal. Prior to his NBA career, the Lakewood, Calif., native played four years at Creighton University, where he finished as the school’s fifth all-time leading scorer.

“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.

“We made a trade which we feel improves our team this year,” said Jazz general manager Kevin O’Connor.

InsideHoops.com editor says: The Jazz wanted Giricek to be a consistent shooting force. With this trade they upgrade to Korver, who actually is that. With Boozer inside, Deron Williams operating on one side of the floor, Korver can make it rain from three-point range on the opposite side. Good deal for the Jazz. As for the 76ers, they get rid of Korver's contract (over $4 million a year for several more seasons), which wasn't huge but was still more than they wanted to keep paying, and get Giricek (over $4 million but then a free agent this sumer) plus a first rounder. The first round pick makes it fair, because Korver is the better player. It makes it easier for the 76ers to rebuild. It makes the Jazz better right now. Therefore, I think it's a good trade for both teams.

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