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By DAN GELSTON AP Sports Writer
PHILADELPHIA (AP) -- The Philadelphia 76ers acquired disgruntled guard Gordan Giricek and a first-round draft pick from the Utah Jazz for guard Kyle Korver on Saturday.
Giricek had fallen out of favor with Jazz coach Jerry Sloan after the two had a heated exchange during a timeout in a game at Charlotte. The 6-foot-5 guard was ordered to the locker room and then sent home for three games.
Giricek averaged 4.3 points in 22 games for the Jazz this season and has a career average of 9.8 points in six seasons. His minutes had been cut in Utah and he was dropped from the rotation 13 games into the season. Sloan and general manager Kevin O'Connor met with Giricek before practice Thursday to discuss what happened in Charlotte and the sixth-year player's role on the Jazz.
Now, he'll get a fresh start in Philadelphia.
"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," 76ers general manager Ed Stefanski said. "This move will provide us with increased salary cap flexibility this offseason and also allows us to continue our evaluation and development of the young talent we have on this team."
Korver averaged 10 points in 25 games with the 76ers and was their top 3-point threat. Korver played four seasons with Philadelphia, averaging 10.5 points and shooting 42 percent.
"We made a trade which we feel improves our team this year," O'Connor said in a statement Saturday.
Korver holds the team record for 3-pointers in a season with 226 in 2004-05.
"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.
The Sixers play Wednesday at Utah.
(Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) APTV-12-29-07 1152MST
