Cavs should pass on potentially signing Kosta Koufos

Kosta Koufos reportedly wants to return to the NBA, and would be a big fan of playing for the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Kosta Koufos didn’t play in the NBA last season, but he previously had a long-tenured career with a number of teams. And Koufos, who played with CKSA Moscow of the EuroLeague in 2019-20, wants to return to the NBA, and play for the Cleveland Cavaliers, per a report from Cleveland.com’s Chris Fedor.

The 31-year-old Koufos, a native of Canton, where he’s been working out, according to Fedor, has had “multiple teams” reach out to his agent. Albeit Fedor stressed how “sources say the 7-footer would love to play for the Cleveland Cavaliers, who may seek cheap frontcourt depth this offseason.”

Koufos, who played collegiately at Ohio State, didn’t make his presence felt much last season with CKSA Moscow, though, and despite signing a two-year deal that made him the “highest-paid American player” in Europe, as Fedor noted, Koufos only had 3.7 points and 2.8 rebounds in 9.6 minutes per outing. As Fedor hit on, that was “before the COVID-19 pandemic.”

Fedor did demonstrate, though, how after seeing a workout from him a few weeks back, Koufos does appear to be in “great shape,” and has been focusing on improving his all-around game. Here was more from Fedor in regards to that.

"“Inside Walsh University and Deuble Gymnasium at the J Babe Stearn Community Center, Koufos has focused on ball-handling, pick-and-pops, long-range shooting — off the dribble and catch — footwork in the post and finishing around the rim. He’s running the floor well, but also displaying a better-than-expected handle, a solid 3-point stroke and good touch around the basket, dropping in ambidextrous jump hooks.At 31, Koufos still looks capable of being a low-block big who does all the dirty work inside — protecting the paint, bodying centers, setting screens and rebounding. But his improved outside shot and an expanded, more versatile perimeter game could allow teams to view him not only as a bulky banger but someone who more closely resembles the modern-day big.”"

It’s a plus that Koufos is in “great shape,” and has been working on improving his perimeter game to be viable in today’s league. But from my perspective for the Cavs, I would rather them pass.

The Cavs should pass on a potential Koufos signing.

Koufos has had plenty of NBA experience, as he’s spent 11 seasons in the league, averaging 5.7 points and 5.0 rebounds per contest, to go with 0.7 blocks in a career average of 16.4 minutes.

Koufos again played last season in Europe, anyway, there’s an argument to be made for the Cavs potentially signing Koufos, seemingly on a team-friendly deal. That’d be of which I’d imagine would be the veteran’s minimum variety, perhaps via one or two-year deal. A second season being non-guaranteed would be reasonable, in that latter scenario, I’d think.

Koufos had been a decent rotational 5 in his days with the Denver Nuggets, Memphis Grizzlies and to an extent, with the Sacramento Kings, his last NBA stop to this point, but I’d rather Cleveland pass.

Although he’s had injury issues previously, I’d much rather the Cavs go with Harry Giles, a rumored free agency target for Cleveland, with seemingly part of the $8-10 million non-taxpayer mid-level exception, if Tristan Thompson is not back, instead. Giles showed plenty of upside on both ends with the Kings, and is only 22, and much more athletic than Koufos.

Or perhaps Cleveland could look to add Alex Len, who could be a free agent target, seemingly with part of the MLE instead as a rotational 5 option, per a report from Fedor.

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Len, who could bring some viable rim protection, has most notably hit 34.2 percent from three-point land the past two seasons with the Atlanta Hawks/Kings.

And to me, the 27-year-old Len would be a more legitimate spot-up/pick-and-pop threat than Koufos, and Len is a productive interior threat when given the opportunities.

Another better alternative for a rolling/interior shot blocking presence that is an impact defender would be rumored free agent target Nerlens Noel, who was mentioned as another potential target should Thompson not return by Fedor in that last report.

Noel, whose 26, is not a player that’s been the most durable, and that’s fair, but had two very productive seasons the past two years with the Oklahoma City Thunder, and could be a quality backup to Andre Drummond, who seems likely to pick up his $28.7 million player option.

Noel is such an explosive athlete and heady defender, and times his blocks/shot contests so well, and has had 2.3 blocks and 2.1 steals per-36 minutes in his career thus far.

The fact of the matter is, if the Cavs don’t draft a big, although it seems increasingly likely they will take Dayton big Obi Toppin, Cleveland shouldn’t be signing Koufos, and that’s whether they draft a big or not.

Koufos has not made a three-point shot in his NBA career, and though he’s hit some mid-range looks at times, he’s in no way a floor spacing big, and his free throw hit rate in the NBA has been 58.2 percent, which is far from fantastic.

Although it’d seem to be cheap, I’d rather Cleveland steer clear of the well-seasoned Koufos. Even with Drummond, should he eventually opt in, seeming to be a trade deadline piece for the Cavs, based on Fedor’s prior comments, Cleveland should have a hard pass on a Koufos comeback with them and look elsewhere.

That’s if they look to sign a non-Thompson big in free agency, which is set to begin later on next week, which would be more feasible again if they don’t draft a big.

I get that Jordan Bell, whose deal is non-guaranteed for next season, likely would be more of a small-ball 5, as Fedor alluded to, but he could still fill in in spot minutes in a number of matchups I believe, and is an intelligent team defender.

Nonetheless, the Cavaliers, given their situation next season, would be far better off looking elsewhere for a rotational 5, and should pass on potentially pursuing Koufos.

Maybe a different situation for spot minutes could be more feasible for Koufos, but a 31-year-old big that hasn’t shown stretch qualities previously, is athletically limited and barely played in the EuroLeague last season?

That’s a no from me for the Cavs.