Utah Jazz: Returning to Utah remains a viable option for Kyle Korver

SALT LAKE CITY — Kyle Korver is leaving Utah for his home in Philadelphia.

For a couple of weeks, anyhow.

The unrestricted free agent then plans to return to Salt Lake for the U2 concert June 3 at Rice-Eccles Stadium.

After that, however, the Utah Jazz swingman has "no idea" what he'll do this summer.

Free agency will do that to a guy.

"This is the first time I have any say where I get to play," said Korver, who plans to see what's out there and explore his best opportunity as a player.

Returning to Utah, where he has played the past 2½ seasons, remains a viable option.

"Absolutely," Korver said. "I want to hear what the Jazz have to say. For sure."

Korver, who led the NBA in 3-point shooting this past season (making an NBA-record 53.6 percent of his shots), was traded to Utah for Gordan Giricek on Dec. 29, 2007.

"I feel like I fit in well here in a lot of ways," Korver said. "So I'm very open to coming back."

The feeling is mutual. Korver said the coaching staff told him they'd like to have him back in Tuesday's season-ending interview at EnergySolutions Arena.

"What would it take? I don't know," Korver said. "I want to be part of a team. I want to play. I want to have freedom to do what it is that I do."

After logging a lot of minutes with the Sixers, the seven-year veteran from Creighton has had more of a reserve role with the Jazz.

"He's been great to help us off the bench," Utah coach Jerry Sloan said before praising Korver's professionalism. "He's been a great pro, and that's what you hope to have with all of our players."

Korver, who plans to spend the first part of the offseason in Philadelphia, was complimentary as well — calling the Jazz a great team and a solid organization. He's particularly enjoyed winning, something that didn't happen as frequently when he played with the Sixers.

"I've been on bad teams and it's no fun at all," Korver said while noting that there's a lot of things that will factor into his decision of where to sign.

"You want to be somewhere where what you do is appreciated, where you feel you have the opportunity to excel as a player — play in a system where your talented are utilized," he explained. "So we'll see what the options are."

Utah, he said, provides a lot of them.

e-mail: dirk@desnews.com