Detroit Pistons: Trading For Kosta Koufos Would Improve Bench
The Detroit Pistons need to improve their bench and adding Kosta Koufos will allow them to improve their bench and add needed frontcourt depth.
Koufos, 26, currently plays for the Sacramento Kings, but is a player the Pistons needs to give serious consideration in targeting for a trade. Koufos would bring physicality on defense, a strong rebounder and a high-percentage offensive game. He fits the mold that star center Andre Drummond has created as the Pistons’ starting center.
Koufos would provide Drummond relief off the bench and allow Drummond to reduce his minutes. Drummond is playing 37.1 minutes per game, simply because the Pistons don’t have anyone to replace his production at center. Forward Anthony Tolliver is an undersized player that can play center. However, Aron Baynes receives the majority of minutes as the backup center.
ALSO ON HOOPSHABIT: 50 Greatest NBA Players Not in the Hall of Fame
Koufos has proven himself as a good backup center in the NBA. In his two seasons with the Memphis Grizzlies, Koufos averaged 16.6 minutes per game. He was very productive with his minutes by shooting 50.8 percent from the field. He also averaged 5.8 points per game, 5.2 rebounds per game and 0.8 blocks per game.
The Pistons would love similar production at the backup center position to give Drummond more rest.
Koufos’ proven success off the bench provides a boost to a struggling frontcourt. Tolliver is shooting 33.3 percent from the field and 33.3 percent from three-point land. Baynes is shooting 47.6 percent, but is only averaging 3.3 points per game.
More from Detroit Pistons
- NBA Trades: Spurs can add a recent lottery pick in this deal with Pistons
- Detroit Pistons draft odds: What are the chances of landing the #1 pick?
- Were the Golden State Warriors right to give up on James Wiseman?
- Ranking the top 18 shooters available on NBA trade market
- Jalen Duren has all the tools to be a star for the Detroit Pistons
Adding Koufos would keep the team young, but it would also add a veteran with playoff experience. Koufos has been to the playoffs in six of his seven full seasons in the NBA. Having playoff experience on an inexperienced team with a young core would also be very beneficial.
Right now the Pistons need to be concerned with their starters, Drummond included, burning out because of the large number of minutes they have played. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (38.3) and Marcus Morris (38.5) both average more minutes per game than Drummond.
The Pistons hopefully won’t see the effects of burnout or injury this early in the season, but even with a young team it is a possibility later in the season.
It’s possible that the Kings could be looking to shake up their roster with recent outbursts from DeMarcus Cousins and his ongoing disputes with head coach George Karl, according to the Big Lead’s Jason McIntyre. The Kings are off to a disappointing 2-7 start on the season and could use a change. This would be favorable for the Pistons in the foreseeable future.
Koufos signed a four-year, $33 million deal with the Kings in the offseason, which dealing him would give the Kings more cap flexibility next offseason.
While it’s not often that teams make roster changes this early in the season, the Kings need to do something to get out of the funk they are in. Koufos would provide the Pistons much needed help to their bench with his high-efficiency shooting, strong rebounding and physical defense. He would also allow Tolliver and Baynes to split time at power forward, their more natural positions.
Next: 25 Best Players To Play For The Detroit Pistons
The Pistons have several players on two-year contracts that they can offer the Kings. Or perhaps a deal involving second-round picks would entice the Kings to make a trade. The bottom line is that Koufos is needed to improve the Pistons’ bench and allow Drummond to get rest during games while not losing as much production at the center position.