Report: Cavaliers interested in Grizzlies' Koufos
The Cleveland Cavaliers are determined to get another rim protector to help address their interior defense. Add Kosta Koufos of the Memphis Grizzlies to the mix of names the team is interested in.
Cleveland has inquired about the availability of the Grizzlies' backup center, according to Marc Stein of ESPN. Stein said the Cavaliers have let teams know that shooting guard Dion Waiters is available for the right big man in return.
Waiters - who's averaging 8.1 points on 36.7 percent shooting from the field over a career-low 23.0 minutes per game - has been coming off the Cavaliers' bench and was reportedly unhappy with his role earlier in the season. Koufos, meanwhile, is in a similar situation.
With Marc Gasol and Zach Randolph firmly entrenched in the Grizzlies' starting rotation, with each logging over 30 minutes per game, Koufos' role has been limited in Memphis. Stein said Koufos' camp has let Grizzlies management know that he's not pleased with the amount of court time he's receiving.
Koufos, an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season, is averaging 14.1 minutes per game - his lowest total since the 2010-11 season. But the 7-footer has the best defensive rating among all Grizzlies bigs and would add some much-needed size to Cleveland's small and unimposing frontcourt.
ESPN's Brian Windhorst reported last week Cleveland is interested in another one of the Grizzlies' players. Windhorst said the Cavaliers would like to upgrade at small forward, and he's hearing they like veteran Tayshaun Prince, who's on a $7.7-million expiring deal.
Stein also reports Cleveland has repeatedly checked in with the Denver Nuggets about a Waiters for Timofey Mozgov swap. Mozgov has a $4.95-million team option for next season.
The Cavaliers have put a slow start behind them, entering Monday's game against the Brooklyn Nets on a six-game winning streak.