HoopsHype.com Rumors

Gallinari's Greek team-mate Kostas Koufos meanwhile, who has been having a breakout season with Denver, has also declared his intention to play at the EuroBasket. "As long as I stay healthy until the end of the season, I would be very proud to suit up for the national team again in the summer," the center told Greek daily Ethnos. Sportando

Denver Nuggets, Kosta Koufos, Greece, Eurobasket 

The Minnesota Timberwolves were turned down on an offer of Brandon Roy and a first-round pick to Denver for center Timofey Mozgov, league sources told Yahoo! Sports. Denver is combing the market further for offers on Mozgov. He will be a restricted free agent this summer, and the emergence of Kosta Koufos could make it hard for Denver to match an offer sheet for Mozgov. Yahoo! Sports

Denver Nuggets, Minnesota Timberwolves, Trade, Timofey Mozgov, Kosta Koufos, Brandon Roy 

Kosta Koufos, whose salary is $3 million this season, is expected to start at center ahead of McGee, whose paychecks will total $10 million in 2012-13. Is there something wrong with this picture? Maybe, maybe not. When Nuggets management gave McGee a four-year, $44 million contract this summer, they paid a premium to keep a talented 24-year-old big man off the NBA's open market after his sensational playoff performance against the Lakers. The Nuggets paid a premium for his potential as a shot blocker, defensive presence and intriguing offensive talent. But McGee is far from a proven talent. Denver Post

Denver Nuggets, Javale McGee, Kosta Koufos 

Asked how the communication is with McGee, Karl indicated things need to improve. "I think that can be better, and that's on me," Karl said. "I think I'm going to meet with him in the next couple days. I think not only he, but our whole training camp has been more demanding in its seriousness than he probably had it last year. Last year was kind of a celebration of us figuring it out and playing well, but we're now in a marathon race in an NBA season. I try to meet with every player before a season, and I think it's probably time for JaVale and I to sit down and have a talk." Denver Post

Denver Nuggets, Javale McGee, Kosta Koufos 

Q: You'll likely start Ty Lawson at point guard, Iguodala at shooting guard, Gallinari at small forward and Kenneth Faried at power forward. What about center? George Karl: Training camp is going to tell me who plays. My idea right now is Mozgov would start with Faried and JaVale would stay with (reserve point guard) Andre Miller. But again, I don't (care) about starting lineups, and you guys are already stirring the pot. It's all about how many minutes you play, who you play with, how well you play and how we play (when you're on the court). Kosta Koufos is in the mix, too. Let's make sure you understand that. In the last 15-20 games of the season, when Timo got hurt, Kosta not only played well but good enough to get us to the playoffs. Denver Post

Denver Nuggets, George Karl, Javale McGee, Andre Miller, Kosta Koufos, Ty Lawson, Kenneth Faried, Training Camp 

Greek international power forward/center Kostas will be sidelined for several and will therefore be unable to participate in the pre-Olympic qualifying tournament. As confirmed by the player's agent himself, Koufos has an arthroscopic surgery after the NBA season was over for his team Denver Nuggets, and he will need at least six weeks to get in full shape again. TalkBasket

Denver Nuggets, Injuries, Kosta Koufos, Greece 

Hey Paul, it's definitely been a sad turn-of-events for The Birdman, Chris Andersen, who has seemed down-in-the-dumps since being pushed down the bench. I've always enjoyed being around Bird. He's a guy -- on and off the court -- who thrives off energy and personality. But reality has settled in with the Nuggets. They now have four younger big men who have provided more consistent energy at practices and games -- Kenneth Faried, JaVale McGee, Kosta Koufos and Timofey Mozgov. Even Mozzy himself hasn't played much lately -- he seemed to be affected by the McGee acquisition and hasn't had the same tenacity we saw earlier this season. Denver Post

Denver Nuggets, Javale McGee, Timofey Mozgov, Kosta Koufos, Chris Andersen, Kenneth Faried 

Kosta Koufos, a backup 7-footer, also accepted a contract extension — three years, $9 million, with the third year a team option. Koufos, 22, is now averaging only 11.3 minutes after Wednesdaynight's 122-93 win at Sacramento. But he has played a big role in some games, including a victory at New Orleans in which his energy and blocked shots led to a fourth-quarter surge. Gallinari's and Koufos' contract extensions signify Denver's desire to build around a young nucleus. Last month, the Nuggets locked up starters Nene (five years, up to $67 million) and Arron Afflalo (five years, up to $43 million). Denver Post

Denver Nuggets, Kosta Koufos 

Sam Amick: Denver big man Kosta Koufos has agreed to a three-year, $9 million extension, a source tells http://SI.com. Third year team option. Twitter

Denver Nuggets, Kosta Koufos 

Chris Broussard: Denver and Kosta Koufas agreed to a three-year, $9 million contract extension. Team option for third year, sources say. Twitter

Denver Nuggets, Kosta Koufos 

As expected, the Timberwolves today exercised 2011-12 contract options on Kevin Love, Micheal Beasley, Jonny Flynn, Wayne Ellington and Kosta Koufos. Minneapolis Star-Tribune

Minnesota Timberwolves, Jonny Flynn, Michael Beasley, Kosta Koufos, Kevin Love, Wayne Ellington 

When asked if Sebastian Telfair and Kosta Koufos will be part of this team, he said they are -- "For now," he said -- and he said Telfair has looked good in workouts and said he expects Koufos to adapt easily from Jerry Sloan's ways to his offense. Minneapolis Star-Tribune

Minnesota Timberwolves, Kosta Koufos, Sebastian Telfair 

Chris Tomasson: Sources say Minnesota also considering trading Ryan Hollins. Add him to list that also includes Kosta Koufos and Ramon Sessions. Twitter

Already, though, there is word in Minnesota that the T-wolves are shopping Koufos. One prominent rumor in the league has Cleveland interested in Ramon Sessions and Koufos. A league source confirmed the Cavaliers have an interest in Koufos. None of that is Koufos’ concern right now. “I’m a professional now, and I take it as trades are part of the business,” Koufos said. “I worked hard this summer, and I made a lot of progress. It was a good experience.” Canton Repository

Also on the final day of the NBA Summer League, sources confirmed a Cleveland Plain Dealer report that Minnesota is shopping guard Ramon Sessions (due $3.96 million next season) and forward Kosta Koufos (due $1.3 million), and the Cavaliers have interest in both. FanHouse.com

It seems like it might just be a matter of time before the Cavs and the Minnesota Timberwolves make some sort of trade. What type of trade is still under discussion. Over the past several weeks the Cavs have talked to the Wolves about since-traded Al Jefferson and point guard Jonny Flynn, who Minnesota does not want to trade. Two Wolves currently on the block, though, interest the Cavs. One is guard Ramon Sessions, made available when Minnesota signed Luke Ridnour last week. The other is young center and Canton native Kosta Koufos. The 7-footer who played at Ohio State was sent to Minnesota from Utah in the trade for Jefferson and the Wolves want to move him now. The Cavs are in the market for at least one developmental big man now that it seems clear Sasha Kaun will remain in Russia for another year. Cleveland Plain Dealer

The Utah Jazz announced today that the team has acquired center/forward Al Jefferson from the Minnesota Timberwolves in exchange for center Kosta Koufos, the Memphis Grizzlies’ protected 2011 first-round pick (obtained by the Jazz in a previous trade) and an additional future protected first-round pick. “We are happy to acquire a young power player who has developed into one of the best low post scorers in the league,” said O’Connor. “We gave up significant assets to obtain Al and we look forward to watching him progress with our team.” NBA.com

Minnesota Timberwolves, Utah Jazz, Trade, Al Jefferson, Kosta Koufos 

Ross Siler: Kosta Koufos is in the deal to Minnesota, his agent confirms. Twitter

Minnesota Timberwolves, Utah Jazz, Trade, Al Jefferson, Kosta Koufos