NBA Rumor: Kosta Koufos Free Agency
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Kosta Koufos looking for NBA return
Former Ohio State center and 11-year NBA veteran Kosta Koufos is looking to return to the NBA after a year overseas, league sources tell cleveland.com.
With NBA free agency set to open in about a week, sources say multiple teams have reached out to Koufos’ agent about his plans. Being from Canton, sources say the 7-footer would love to play for the Cleveland Cavaliers, who may seek cheap frontcourt depth this offseason.
Chris Haynes: NBA veteran center Kosta Koufos has reached an agreement with EuroLeague Russian powerhouse CSKA Moscow that will make him the highest paid American in Europe next season, league sources tell Yahoo Sports.
Chris Haynes: Free agent big man Kosta Koufos has received preliminary interest from Detroit, Sacramento, Toronto and Milwaukee, league sources tell Yahoo Sports. The veteran, noted for his defense and rim protection, could be a later signing.
The Kings are looking for a major piece to drop into the center of their lineup, and Koufos will have to use a wait-and-see approach. It’s very possible that there is a club on the open market looking for a veteran big who understands his role and is willing to do all of the dirty work.
“Honestly, there are a lot of friendly people in Sacramento,” Koufos said. “It’s more of a Midwest vibe, in California, which I like. The city is growing, the real estate market is booming, obviously, and I had a great time.” According to a source with knowledge of the situation, the Kings haven’t closed the door on a reunion with the team’s longest-tenured player. The Kings hope to improve their frontline in free agency, but that doesn’t exclude a return by Koufos.
In an expected move, Kings guard Iman Shumpert has officially exercised his $11 million option Friday to return to the Kings next season, a league source confirmed to The Bee. Shumpert joins center Kosta Koufos as veterans who have decided to exercise player options on contracts for next season. Koufos’ option is worth $8.7 million.
Sacramento Kings center Kosta Koufos will exercise his 2018-19 player option worth $8.7 million to return to the club, league sources said Wednesday. The 10-year veteran opted to bypass free agency and instead test the market in the summer of 2019.
Garrett Temple, the other King known for his defense, calls Koufos the “ultimate professional.” “He’s perfect in terms of he knows his role and just goes out and does it, no matter if he plays 15 minutes, 30 minutes,” Temple said. “He’s one of the best defensive bigs, if not the best I’ve been on a team with, knows where to be on offense in his rolling spots and hits that floater on offense.” Koufos has a player option for next season worth $8.7 million. Temple, who also has a player option for next season, is already campaigning for Koufos to return.
Kosta Koufos to Sacramento
Alex Kennedy: Kosta Koufos has received interest from the Mavs, Lakers and Kings among others. The Bucks showed interest too (before landing Greg Monroe).
Chris Mannix: With Monta Ellis off the market, a name to keep an eye on in Sacramento: Kosta Koufos. One of best available bigs in dwindling market.
Koufos is already a hot name with Orlando, Sacramento and Boston showing interest on him and the Bucks are also in the mix. The team is in the market for a center and Koufos is one of the candidates. The offer that Koufos is going to get is directly connected with the money which the team will have to spend in order to re-sign Khris Middleton.
January 18, 2021 | 8:46 am EST Update
Veteran Jodie Meeks seeks NBA return
With several games postponed and fewer players available due to the league’s health and safety protocols, 10-year NBA veteran Jodie Meeks hopes to earn a roster spot this season. “I haven’t retired, and I’m not looking to retire,” Meeks told HoopsHype. “I’m still healthy, and I’m only 33. The way my game is, it’s not like I’m super athletic running and jumping like Russell Westbrook. I’m strictly shooting and playing defense. I could still move. I could still play for a while. I just need an opportunity.”
Meeks worked out in Los Angeles at the Mamba Academy with several Brooklyn Nets players in November, including Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, James Harden, and DeAndre Jordan. The former Kentucky Wildcat also trained with Chris Brickley in New York during the fall. “They need to get me in Brooklyn,” Meeks told HoopsHype. “They need some shooting.”
Consistency is key, and the Clippers did what they had to do this week. They hadn’t put together an undefeated week this season, and now they have. It will mean more when they can continue to meet challenges and handle them accordingly going forward. “It helps when guys feel comfortable when they’re playing and not just thinking the game the whole time,” Leonard said. “It’s early still. We still want to get better. We’re not where we want to be. And that’s all I really got to say about it.”
Adam Zagoria: Kyrie Irving listed as questionable for tonight vs. the Bucks.
The Suns (7-4) are set to resume action Monday on the national holiday that celebrates the man who led the Civil Rights Movement that brought great change to America. The game takes on greater meaning for the Suns because they’re playing in Memphis (6-6), where King was assassinated April 4, 1968. “I just hope that it doesn’t just become something we do,” Suns coach Monty Williams said as the NBA has made a game on MLK Day in Memphis an annual occurrence. “I hope it continues to become a moment in time, a moment in the year where we really think about what Dr. King sacrificed so that a guy like me can be in this position, because that’s what I think about.”
“Growing up in colonial Virginia, if you know anything about that part of the country, there was a number of tensions there,” Williams said. “Because of that, you heard the family members talk about Dr. King and many others who were not just speaking out, but sacrificing a ton so that our world, our country could be a better place.” Williams said his grandfather, who raised him, looked up to King. So while he heard stories from his family about the struggles of living in Virginia, Williams recognized how much King meant to his grandfather when hearing him talk about the famed minister.
In what they all consider their most important project, Anthony, Paul and Wade launched the “Social Change Fund” to address racial inequality issues. They involve ending police brutality, establishing criminal justice reform, expanding voting access, improving education, health equity and economic investment as well as promoting change through education and the arts. The three have donated an unspecified amount. “The Social Change Fund is timely,” Anthony told USA TODAY Sports. “It was our time to step up to the plate, put our money where our mouth is and really go out there and make change.”
