One of the game’s most underrated centers and elite rim protectors, Kosta Koufos bolsters a revamped Sacramento frontline, joining a versatile rotation led by All-NBA center DeMarcus Cousins and sixth overall pick Willie Cauley-Stein.
The mobile big man – who previously played under Kings Head Coach George Karl during parts of three seasons in Denver – submitted his best year with the high-paced Nuggets in 2012-13, averaging career-highs in points (8.0 per game), rebounds (6.9) and blocks (1.3) in 81 starts and ranking sixth in the League in offensive rating (122.0).
Able to space the floor for Sacramento’s outside scorers with a soft touch around the rim and an arrayof back-to-the-basket post moves – connecting on 56.2 percent within eight feet last season, accordingto NBA.com – the eighth-year veteran is also adept at making timely cuts to the basket, finishing in the pick-and-roll (Video Below) and crashing the glass. Koufos ranked in the top-10 in offensive rebound rate in three of the last four seasons (min. 500 minutes played), and his 12.7 career percentage is the highest of any current Kings player, per basketball-reference.com.
In addition to his steady offensive contributions, the big man’s most essential role comes as an indispensable defensive anchor, as according to NBA.com, the imposing 7-footer led all centers in defensive rating (94.8) in 2014-15 (min. 50 games played). Memphis, which ranked 3rd in defensive rating, outscored opponents by 4.3 points per 100 possessions with Koufos on the floor, compared to 2.5 points per 100 possessions when he was on the bench.
The Ohio State product tied All-Defensive Team selections Tim Duncan and Draymond Green for 16th in the League in allowed field goal percentage at the rim (46.9) among all players who defended at least four attempts per game, and held opponents to 8.4 percent below their expected field goal percentage less than six feet away from the basket.
Per ESPN.com, the 26-year-old finished ninth at his position in defensive real plus-minus (3.30) – ahead of DeAndre Jordan, Joakim Noah and Dwight Howard – and despite playing only 16.6 minutes per game, added an estimated 2.4 wins.
A strong help defender who holds a 1.9 blocks-per-36 minutes career average, Koufos is also proficientat defending post-ups and ball-handlers in pick-and-roll situations, providing lineup flexibility for the Kings by squaring up against slow-footed big-man counterparts, as well as presenting matchup problems for small-ball lineups.
Whether he continues to thrive as an integral reserve or complementary starter alongside No. 15, afterhelping his teams reach the Playoffs in six consecutive seasons, Koufos is expected to play a prominent part in revitalizing last year’s 27th-rated defense en route to guiding Sacramento back to postseason contention.
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