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The move was curious for more than its timing. Usually, the Eastern Conference’s fourth-place team would not offload its top role player with half the season left to play. Even if they were inclined to do so, they would typically avoid sending such an asset to the league’s defending champion.

And yet, this is how Kyle Korver became a Cleveland Cavalier last weekend.

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So pronounced is Cleveland’s dominance over the East — or, at least, so sure is the expectation they’ll win the conference in a walk come spring — that the Atlanta Hawks ceded ground and willingly delivered Korver into LeBron James’ beckoning arms. The Cavaliers lead the conference by 3.5 games as of Wednesday, and now have one of the great sharpshooters in NBA history.

The Hawks, meanwhile, likely aren’t finished dealing. Their best player could be next.

Paul Millsap, Atlanta’s three-time All-Star power forward, has emerged as basketball’s most coveted name six weeks before the NBA’s Feb. 23 trade deadline. The Hawks, fearful of losing Millsap for nothing when he hits free agency in July, floated his name in trade discussions last summer and started listening to prospective offers again at the start of January, according to ESPN.