Free agent center Kosta Koufos will soon be floating in money bags. The 7-footer has agreed to join Russian powerhouse CSKA Moscow on a two-year, $6 million contract, according to Chris Haynes of Yahoo Sports — making him the highest-paid American player in Europe.
Koufos, who was the 23rd pick of the 2008 NBA Draft by the Utah Jazz, has career averages of 5.7 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 0.7 blocks per game throughout his 10-year venture in the NBA. Much like many other free agents waiting for a call, the 30-year-old opted to try his luck overseas, joining a team that is fresh off winning a EuroLeague title, its eighth in franchise history.
NBA teams now have most of their salary cap frozen into big assets, unable to move them for six months after the recent spending extravaganza. Veterans like Koufos are the ones who have suffered the most, as their opportunities have been limited to one-year deals for the veteran's minimum.
Koufos played his last four years with the Sacramento Kings, but saw his playing time plummet to merely 12 minutes per game, playing under Willie Cauley-Stein and rookie Marvin Bagley III. The journeyman notched one start in 42 games and had very little to show going into free agency until the overseas offers started rolling in.
His deal will include an NBA clause, should he decide to return to the league to seek out an opportunity, which could come weeks after the trade deadline.
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