Cavaliers center Timofey Mozgov has seen himself go from a starter to a reserve this season, which has multiple teams inquiring about his availability via trade, according to Marc J. Spears of Yahoo Sports. Cleveland has not expressed any desire to move the center publicly, but the team’s daunting luxury tax bill, as well as Mozgov’s pending free agency, could eventually persuade the team to deal him, Spears noted.
Mozgov’s role has been diminished by the insertion of Tristan Thompson into the starting lineup, and the results of have been positive thus far for the team. The 29-year-old Russian has appeared in 30 games for the Cavaliers this season, including 25 as a starter, and he is averaging 6.3 points and 4.1 rebounds in 17.8 minutes per night. While he may be going through a rough patch currently, Mozgov’s addition was most certainly a turning point in Cleveland’s 2014/15 season, with the big man solidifying the team’s interior defense after his acquisition from Denver.
Cleveland is likely concerned about the luxury tax, and parting ways with Mozgov and his $4.95MM expiring contract could help alleviate a bit of the exorbitant sum the team is in line to be on the hook for this season. But is saving money worth the potential risk of parting ways with a valuable defensive asset like Mozgov? Well, that’s the question I’m posing to all of you for today’s topic, which is: Should the Cavs look to deal Timofey Mozgov prior to the February trade deadline?
Take to the comments section below to share your thoughts and opinions on the matter, as well as to weigh in on what sort of return the team should look to extract if it does decide to trade the big man. We look forward to what you have to say.
I think there is zero chance of the Cavs making a financially-motivated trade at the deadline. I think Lebron has made it clear: He was disgusted when the Heat amnestied Mike Miller, because Miller had taken a discount to sign in Miami, and even the Big 3 had all taken small discounts to help fit Haslem and Miller. Those guys helped Mickey Arison win a title, and then they amnestied Miller simply because he didn’t project to be healthy for the following year.
I don’t think the Cavs will make the same mistake.
And even loyalty aside, just focusing on basketball, I think the Cavs would hate to give a potential playoff contender an additional piece that could be very useful come playoff time, when Mozgov might finally be fully healed from that offseason knee surgery.
There might only be one playoff series or matchup where Mozgov proves to be a difference-maker, but I think the Cavs have to preserve their ability to play any style of basketball in order to win the title (and to keep Lebron long-term).
Good response
They should only look to trade him if another team offers an upgrade of talent in return. Until they limped into the Finals and matched up with a loaded Warriors team, they blitzed the league last season after acquiring Mozgov (and Iman Shumpert and J.R. Smith). That’s when they’ve been at their best since LeBron’s return, and even though they’ve played pretty well this season with Mozgov not looking like himself, it won’t necessarily be enough. They’re only two and a half games up on the Bulls, and they’re far off the pace of the Warriors and Spurs. If they meet San Antonio in the Finals, they’ll definitely need a healthy Mozgov, or a center who’s just as good or better.
I agree. They’ll need Mozgov come playoff time, though trading him for the right player wouldn’t be a bad thing. I wonder if they consider re-signing him this offseason and end up setting a record for highest payroll ever.
In a strange way, I think the Cavs have a similar sitation to the Heat with Whiteside. There’s real opportunity cost to signing both to max or near max deals, and I don’t believe either team brings back their center on that kind of contract.
Whiteside is a more likely guy to get a max or near max deal. In my opinion, Mozgov hasn’t done enough to warrant a deal of that size. He’s a solid player who can defend the rim, get rebounds and score in spurts (while also being one of the few bigs who can hit free throws), but his numbers don’t jump off the page like Whiteside’s may. Mozgov should get paid this offseason, maybe a deal similar to Robin Lopez is his actual value. The best way to put it…Whiteside can dominate/control a game and win it for his team, I don’t see Mozgov with that same ability.
Mosgov doesn’t fit on a lineup with 4 other scorers. He needs to get a few looks in order to maximize his game. Which is why he’s playing with the bench unit because he gets more looks. If Thompson gets a huge deal then Mosgov will get more than that.
If they were going to trade a center to save money, wouldn’t it be Varejao rather than Mozgov?
dont think anyone would want that contract. hes not worth the money
He’s technically expiring next season so look for a trade to occur then. Even though I don’t want to see him go.
You’d think, but I don’t know if anyone wants to take Varejao on that contract.
Trade for joe johnson