Former first-round pick Kosta Koufos reportedly leaving Russian team

Former NBA center Kosta Koufos will likely leave CSKA Moscow, according to Emiliano Carchia of Sportando. His departure was hastened by the addition of Nikola Milutinov, whose rights are owned by the Spurs.

Koufos became the highest-paid American player in Europe when he signed with the Russian team last summer, making $6M over two years. The contract included an escape clause in case he wanted to return to the NBA next season.

However, injuries have limited Koufos’ productivity. He averaged just 3.7 points and 2.8 rebounds per game in the EuroL eague and 8.4 points and 5.2 rebounds in the VTB League.

Koufos, 31, played for five teams over 11 NBA seasons and spent the last four years with the Kings before leaving for Europe. He averaged 3.7 points and 4.2 rebounds in 42 games as a reserve during the 2018-19 season.