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Sacramento Kings: Kosta Koufos accepts player option for next season

By Tyler Watts

SACRAMENTO, CA - MARCH 9: Kosta Koufos #41 of the Sacramento Kings claps during the game against the Orlando Magic on March 9, 2018 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images)
SACRAMENTO, CA - MARCH 9: Kosta Koufos #41 of the Sacramento Kings claps during the game against the Orlando Magic on March 9, 2018 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Sacramento Kings big man Kosta Koufos will accept his player option and return to the team next season.  Continue reading to find out more.

Sacramento Kings big man Kosta Koufos continues to be underrated.  His win shares per 48 minutes in his three seasons with the Kings are 0.113, 0.089, and 0.134 or well above the league average of 0.100 in two seasons.  Not many experts would rate Koufos that highly.

News broke late on May 9 that Koufos has made his decision regarding his player option for the 2018-2019 season.  Here is the definitive Tweet from ESPN’s Chris Hayes.

Opinion

A Royal Pain did a lengthy feature on Koufos’ player option last week which you can read here.  The Sacramento Kings are lucky to have Kosta Koufos and his return is welcomed.  Sure, 8.7 million dollars may be a lot to play a reserve center, but Koufos can play and fits well with the young core.

Related Story: A look at 7 upcoming free agency decisions for the Kings

Koufos also brings stability to the bench unit.  The Kings need frontcourt depth, and the return of Koufos should lock down the center minutes.  Willie Cauley-Stein will start and play 28 minutes.  Then, Kosta off the bench fills the remaining 20.  Other players like Zach Randolph will get minutes at the five due to foul trouble, injury, or matchup.  WCS and Koufos will also play together some allowing for both to play a little more when necessary.

Final thoughts

Kosta Koufos is going to accept his 8.7 million dollar player option and return to the Sacramento Kings next season.  Koufos continues to be underrated.  He performed well in his three seasons with the Kings and is a welcomed return to the lineup next season.

The news was exciting and brings an upbeat beginning to the offseason.  Hopefully, the good vibes continue on May 15, and the Kings move into the top three draft choices.  Fingers crossed.

Next: De'Aaron Fox's 2017-2018 season report card

A Royal Pain brings the Sacramento Kings opinions that fans want to read.  Our team prides itself on producing content that they cannot find anywhere else, so please check back with us frequently.  Thank you for reading.

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