Kosta Koufos' Future?

[edwardyoung111]

I asked a couple of questions about Kosta Koufos on the Suns game thread.

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Of the other two subjets I raised (Buddy's questionable judgement in fouling with 1.5 seconds left on the Suns shot clock AND the nonuse of Kosta Koufos for the last three games, even when we had no second big to play against the Suns front line), this thread is an attempt to both discuss the likelihood of Koufos staying with the Kings long-term AND a request for knowledge on how the opt-in process works, in terms of timing and procedure.

I will simply cut/paste below that portion of my final post on the Suns game thread (rather than discussing it there, which cannot now be done because it has been locked).

The first sentence refers TO the Suns game of 4/3/18

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So, is this three straight games with no Koufos (not on the injury list)? I GET not playing Randolph but WHY sit Koufos and start Justin and VINCE (???) at forwards - oh, that's right, situational tanking.

I understood when they did not play Koufos against the Warriors - he might have dominated McGhulia and let the Warriors see their future center in action (if they can work KK into the cap), but WHY when we had no bigs save Wille did Koufos sit? - and the Suns simply went repeatedly to the hoop, especially in the first quarter. VINCE CARTER, EMERGENCY STARTER? I'd have rather seen Bruno.

btw, how does KK's opt-in work? can he negotiate with other teams BEFORE he chooses whether or not to opt in?

is it considered "fair" for his agent to speak to Myers before advising his client whether to opt in or not?

 

[pdxKingsFan]

btw, how does KK's opt-in work? can he negotiate with other teams BEFORE he chooses whether or not to opt in?

is it considered "fair" for his agent to speak to Myers before advising his client whether to opt in or not?

What is legally allowed and what players actually do these days may differ. He would have to opt in before teams are legally allowed to start talking but we all know the feelers are already put into place and players lean towards staying/going before the opt in/out dates and free agent periods begin.

But he can't have a binding contract to sign the moment he opts out and frankly he's not the type of player that signs before other dominoes fall so I don't think he can be completely sure what happens if he opts out. The big money bonanza of 2-3 seasons ago did appear to dry up last year so he may be best served with guaranteed money.

LeBron James taking his talents to South Beach set the precedent that players are free to talk to other players apparently without breaking any collusion rules.

 

[edwardyoung111]

Previously, I thought Koufos was older, but I think he may only be 29/30. For a big, that is not only "in his prime", but he could actually have five good years left. He had one year as a starter with Denver and if I were the Warriors, I would seriously be looking at signing him.

Are you saying that there is a date that he must opt out by (if he chooses that route) and then a waiting period before he can sign with another team?

I think that (according to contracts) different players may have different opt-in dates . Or maybe that is only on the team end (if they exercise a buyout clause). I recall Tolliver and Afflalo having different buyout dates.

Because unless the Kings are willing to offer him a newand bigger contract, I would opt out, because I would say that he is one of the best backup centers in the NBA and could fit in well with a conetnder, Warriors or even Spurs.

BTW, Basketball Reference says he is 265 pounds - he doesn't really look that solid - I think I would have guessed 240.

 

[pshn80]

Kosta koufos’ future? I hope he opts in. In my view he is ne of our better and cnsisitent players with a future. Keep him, he is our most reliable players. We sit him a lot to see how our Young’s guys can do but when we are playing for the money ride the hell out of him.

 

[Capt. Factorial]

Are you saying that there is a date that he must opt out by (if he chooses that route) and then a waiting period before he can sign with another team?

According to http://www.basketballinsiders.com/sacramento-kings-team-salary/ Kosta has to make a decision about opting in/out by the earlier of two days after the end of the NBA finals or two days before the NBA draft. Unless something very unusual happens, that will be the former, so two days after the end of the NBA finals.

If Kosta opts out, he cannot negotiate with other teams until July 1st. This is the same rule for all free agents. And he can "commit" to a team on July 1st, but he cannot actually sign a contract until the end of the July Moratorium, which is July 5th. This is the same rule for all free agents.

 

[HndsmCelt]

I would love to see Koufos back. At 8.7 million he is cheap, but after the top FA's are signed it's questionable howamny teams will be able to pay more for Kosta and none of them are likely to be play off bound, so to be honest if Kosta wants out his best bet is opt in and ask for a trade. I have expected he would opt in, but i am not sure what to make of coach not playing him. It could be that he has hinted he would be back like Shump has so they don't want him hurt... seems thin. If they DON'T expect him back it might make sense. There are plenty of other possibities including just taking coach at face value when he said he was taking the training wheels off so the kids learn to depend on eachoter.

 

[John Galt]

. There are plenty of other possibities including just taking coach at face value when he said he was taking the training wheels off so the kids learn to depend on eachoter.

Occams Razor

 

[upinsmoke]

To the OP I thought it was Bogie who fouled late?

 

[edwardyoung111]

"... just taking coach at face value when he said he was taking the training wheels off so the kids learn to depend on eachoter."

that would make sense if skal was playing (he is ? tonight).

but starting justin jackson and VINCE CARTER at forwards against phoenix makes this nonsensical.

and willie is back to being in constant foul trouble so, you would at least want kostas to have some early run in case willie fouls out in the fourth quarter.

plus:

early on, willie expressed a preference for playing the four and he and kosta were often paired together, sometimes as starters.

plus, kosta is not vince or zach - he is in his actual prime (turned 29 on 2/24) and, although he can't be relied on at the end of games (because of his poor foul shooting), he should definitely be in a nine man future rotation - IF he is coming back.

like i said, i would even buy it if joerger started bruno against the suns, but not vince.

something is up. or we were just situationally tanking again.

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i just found something interesting:


February 22, 2011: As part of a 3-team trade, traded by the Minnesota Timberwolves to the Denver Nuggets; the Denver Nuggets traded a 2015 2nd round draft pick (Richaun Holmes was later selected) to the Minnesota Timberwolves; the Denver Nuggets traded Carmelo Anthony, Renaldo Balkman, Chauncey Billups, Anthony Carter, Shelden Williams and a 2016 1st round draft pick (Jakob Poeltl was later selected) to the New York Knicks; the Minnesota Timberwolves traded Corey Brewer to the New York Knicks; the New York Knicks traded Wilson Chandler, Raymond Felton, Danilo Gallinari, Timofey Mozgov, cash, a 2012 2nd round draft pick (Quincy Miller was later selected), a 2013 2nd round draft pick (Romero Osby was later selected), a 2014 1st round draft pick (Dario Saric was later selected) and a 2016 1st round draft pick (Jamal Murray was later selected) to the Denver Nuggets; and the New York Knicks traded Eddy Curry, Anthony Randolph and cash to the Minnesota Timberwolves. (Nuggets acquired right to swap 2016 1st-Rd picks with Knicks) (Nuggets acquired right to swap 2016 1st-Rd picks with Knicks)
June 27, 2013: Traded by the Denver Nuggets to the Memphis Grizzlies for Darrell Arthur and Joffrey Lauvergne.

so, kosta is included in the complicated carmelo trade. he is an asset that they acquire.

he plays two and a half years in denver, playing 11, 48 (shortened season - lockout) and then 81 games for the nuggets. the first year he plays 14.9mpg, then 16.5+mpg then 81 games starting them all (22.4mpg).

then, joerger takes over as head coach in memphis and the grizzlies trade for kosta, obviously to be a backup to gasol (neither can play anything BUT center).

so, he goes from starter to what looks like permanent reserve. the dream is over.

his career as a starter is derailed. joerger seems to be saying, "we value you only as a backup" and his minutes drop to 16.9, then 14.6. He plays in 80, then 81 games in two seasons under joerger.

then he is traded to the karl-led kings. he starts 14 of 78 games and plays 19.0mpg under karl.

Then comes the first joerger season. demarcus would prefer playing PF (shooting more 3's) and then is traded. kosta starts 62 of the 71 games he plays in (alongside demarcus, then willie) plays 20.0mpg.

this year, he is at 19.6mpg, but starting just 13 of 71 games, because now (and for the forseeable future) it is willie/skal at the 4/5 - with harry giles competing for minutes next year.

now he sits (well, it won't lower his mpg).

if he stays, he is unlikely ever to start again. and joerger is someone who he knows well - the guy who first traded for him as a starter (denver) to make him a career backup (to gasol).

i wonder if he thinks he could be a starter, but never will be under joerger (4 years with him - two in memphis, two in sac).

maybe he wants out.

but maybe more money can get him to stay. i believe he has great value and that we should sign him because we could get value for him in a future trade (should giles be as advertised).

houston wanted him last year after capella was injured but that trade never happened.

anyone know the particulars?

 

[edwardyoung111]

To the OP I thought it was Bogie who fouled late?

i was referring to the king's only FIRST quarter foul - shot clock running down on suns, ball a long way from the basket and buddy fouls with 1.5 seconds left on shot clock. VERY poor basketball knowledge. suns got a new clock and tied the game with a three.

point being, you don't foul away from the basket when they are going to have to take a desperation shot .

it wasn't a shooting foul - likely they were not even going to get a shot OFF.

 

[kingsboi]

I wouldn't mind keeping Kosta around, he is a fundamental and solid big to have around the other bigs. The price has to be right of course.

 

[ppine]

KK will have a future somewhere even if it is not here. A lof of teams are looking for big guys that can play defense and rebound. His offense is not pretty but still very effective. He does not take crap from other teams, and is more physical than people realize. I have always liked the guy and hope he sticks around. He shows up every night and plays under control. He commits few turnovers for a big man. He actually has good hands. I wish he had a 15 foot conventional jump shot.