9. Kosta Koufos (Memphis Grizzlies)
The 2015-16 season will be Kosta Koufos’ seventh out of Ohio State University. The former Buckeye has played for the Grizzlies the past two seasons and has carved out a place for himself on the bench backing up Marc Gasol.
His numbers last year were about par for his career — 5.2 points and 5.3 rebounds per game — and with Gasol carrying the load on offense and defense at the center position for Memphis, Koufos was not asked to do much when he checked in for his teammate.
His 7’0″ 265-pound frame make him a presence on the floor and he can hold his own against other teams’ power forwards and centers, making him good in short relief.
While Whiteside is an athletic five who can jump out of the building, Koufos is more earthbound and does his work without much fanfare. That could make him an effective reserve for Miami.
But seven-footers don’t grow on trees, and that fact alone will drive Koufos’ price up to the $6-7 million per year range. Riley will have to decide whether Koufos is an essential piece next season (and perhaps beyond), or if he can find another big, maybe a power forward, who could fill the backup center role with the Heat.
Next: Jordan Hill (Los Angeles Lakers)
[xyz-ihs snippet=”Responsive-Ad”]
