NBA T-Wolves send Jefferson to Jazz

The Minnesota Timberwolves have agreed to send power forward Al Jefferson to the Utah Jazz for center Kosta Koufos and two future NBA first-round draft picks, both teams said Tuesday.

Timberwolves president David Kahn said the first-round picks and the added flexibility under the salary cap made the trade make sense.

Jefferson averaged 17.1 points and 9.3 rebounds last season, his first campaign after major knee injury in February 2009.

In Utah he will help fill the void left from Carlos Boozer's departure to Chicago.

Jefferson came to Minnesota in 2007 as the key figure in the blockbuster deal that sent Kevin Garnett to Boston. He averaged 23.1 points and 11 rebounds in the 50 games before he was injured in 2009.

For Minnesota, Jefferson became expendable because his low-post game, while effective offensively, doesn't mesh well with the speedier style coach Kurt Rambis hopes to cultivate.

"With Kevin Love and Michael Beasley on the team, there wouldn't have been enough playing time for everybody to showcase Al," Timberwolves president David Kahn.

He should fit right in in Utah.

"We are happy to acquire a young power player who has developed into one of the best low-post scorers in the league," Jazz GM Kevin O'Connor said. "We gave up significant assets to obtain Al and we look forward to watching him progress with our team."