NBA Trade Rumors: Latest on Timofey Mozgov Trade Speculations
Timofey Mozgov's time with the Cleveland Cavaliers may be over sooner than expected. After the Russian center made a huge impact with his defensive presence in last year's playoffs, his role this season significantly decreased.
Soon to be a free agent, it looks like he no longer will finish this year beside LeBron James and the rest of the Cavs after averaging dismal numbers of 6.0 points and 4.3 rebounds a game, though he's given almost 18 minutes of playing time.
With the trade deadline nearing, rumors will always be there and most of the time they're not true. But this doesn't change the fact that the Cavaliers front office is making some calls to figure out if there indeed is an interesting market out there for him. And yes, the Cavs are selling Mozgov. The question is what are they looking for in exchange?
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It should be recalled that in order to get Mozgov, Cleveland had to give their two first-round draft pick rights a year ago. Because of injuries to Anderson Varejao and the back-and-forth negotiations with Tristan Thompson last offseason, Mozgov was the only member of the frontline who remained with problems. But because Thompson finally agreed to re-sign and Varejao almost ready to go, Mozgov has become dispensable.
Basketball pundits are looking at this diminished production as the main reason why the Cavs are looking to trade him. But what the team needs to understand is that it really makes no sense if they trade him and get someone who does not belong in the frontcourt. Mozgov is young and will have bad seasons along the way.
But he's someone whose contribution and intimidating factor at the other end of the court is something that's hard to find these days. Yes, Cleveland is still a championship contender with or without him. However, how far can they reach if they are to face the likes of the San Antonio Spurs and the Golden State Warriors?
