NBA Trade Rumors: Is Cleveland targeting Kosta Koufos?

While the Cleveland Cavaliers now have one of the best rosters in the league thanks to a core of LeBron James, Kevin Love, and Kyrie Irving, this roster still has work to do, specifically in the frontcourt.

By shopping their 2015 first-round pick, the Cavaliers hope to land a center that can help patch up their rim defense and according to Brian Windhorst of ESPN, Memphis Grizzlies Kosta Koufos could be on their list.

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“A guy that I’d love for the Cavs to get, local guy, Kosta Koufos of the Memphis Grizzlies,” Windhorst said in a radio interview. Going to be a free agent after this season Not only is he 7-foot and can defend in the interior big guys, but he can hit a jump shot. And that’s what you want. You want a guy who, at one end, can stand there and defend the rim a little bit and at the other end can go down there and play with LeBron and step out and hit a jumper.”

The talent gap between current starting Cleveland Cavaliers center Anderson Varejao and Grizzlies reserve center Kosta Koufos isn’t wide, but acquiring him by way of a first-round selection would help the Cavaliers gain depth in the frontcourt. With Koufos, Varejao, Kevin Love, LeBron James, Shawn Marion, Mike Miller, and Tristan Thompson, the Cavaliers would immediately possess the league’s best frontcourt.

Unfortunately, Windhorst doesn’t think the Grizzlies are going to let Koufos walk easy as he’s insurance behind the oft-injured All-Star center in Marc Gasol.

“Koufos would be a great addition, but, again, these teams are not going to give up these 7-footers. It’s hard to get those guys out of there, and Memphis doesn’t want to give him up because Gasol got hurt a bunch last year and (Koufos) had to start for them.”

Last season, Marc Gasol missed 23 games due to a knee injury suffered early in the season. Stepping into the starting role, Koufos did an excellent job softening the loss, averaging 8.8 points and 8.5 per game in Gasol’s absence.

The Grizzlies may not look to move Koufos now, but if Gasol proves to remain healthy up until the All-Star break, the reserve center could become available for the right price, Cleveland’s price.

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