NBA - Blockbuster Trade Sends Kosta Koufos to the Denver Nuggets

(Konstantine Demetrios Koufos - Denver Nuggets - 2011)

Buckeye: Kosta Koufos
Years Pro: Currently in 3rd Pro season
Countries Played In: One (United States)
Number of Teams Played For: Two (Utah, Minnesota)
Last Team: Minnesota Timberwolves
New Team: Denver Nuggets
League: National Basketball Association (USA)


Koufos to the Nuggets - The Carmelo Anthony saga was the talk of the NBA leading up to the trade deadline, and everything finally formulated into a blockbuster three team deal shortly after the all-star break.

In one fell swoop, New York Basketball would be reinvigorated with the additions of stars Carmelo Anthony & Chauncey Billups (along with Anthony Carter & Balkman). The Nuggets received a decent core in point guard Raymond Felton, swingman Wilson Chandler, the promising Italian Danilo Gallinari, & the big Russian kid Mozgov. Minnesota, the third team of the deal, sent Corey Brewer to the Knicks & former Buckeye Kosta Koufos to the Nuggets (received Anthony Randolph & a future draft pick).

According to Minnesota's Star Tribune, (link)

"The Wolves included Koufos apparently to clear enough playing time for bigs Randolph, Kevin Love, Darko Milicic, Nikola Pekovic and Anthony Tolliver and it also sheds Koufos' modest salary."

- And when you look at it, that front-court was indeed getting crowded with Love (a rising player) vets Milicic & Tolliver, Pekovic (25 year old center who they like), and Randolph. Koufos did well for himself by working hard & being able to get some playing time up in Minnesota, but the business side of things has moved him to his third career NBA team.

- Pro Basketball Talk: Melo Trade (Wolves send Kosta Koufos to Denver)
- Deal's done: Koufos added to trade that sends Brewer to NYC

- Koufos got better in Minnesota..

(Kosta Koufos & the Timberwolves Mascot at a local elementary school)

In our view, Kosta Koufos' short stint with Minnesota was very positive. The Kurt Rambis coached squad does/did not win many games, but Kosta progressed individually; main reason being was minutes played. He learned a great deal from former Jazz coach Jerry Sloan in Utah, but on court action is the most crucial aspect in development..and in this regard Koufos found new life with the Timberwolves.

Point of fact, Kosta Koufos logged more on court minutes (335 total mins in 39 gms) in just a half a season with Minnesota than he did in all of last season with the Jazz (172 total minutes in 36 gms - stats).

In addition to the valuable game experience, we thought the stint in Minnesota also had the effect of making Koufos somewhat relevant in the basketball community again. He was kind of out of sight & out of mind during his second year in Utah. Yet, as a trusted reserve for Minnesota, we were able to see him compete against NBA starters and rotation players. (pictured left defending Kobe Bryant).




Kosta Koufos Blocks Kevin Martin & Brad Miller 2.8.2011
Uploaded by BuckeyeBallersTV.



Will Koufos get a shot in Denver? - Kosta goes from being the rotation of a losing squad to re-joining a winning environment, but now his playing situation becomes fuzzy. The Nuggets feature strongmen Nene & Kenyon Martin up front, they sub in the Birdman..Chris Andersen, and are obviously going to be high on young Gallinari. That leaves Koufos & Mozgov to fight for any of the limited minutes that may be left. (roster)

Kosta Koufos made his debut in a Denver Nuggets uniform against the Bobcats on March 3, 2011. (3 rebounds, 2 points in 7 minutes)