Lakers: ESPN Ranks Timofey Mozgov 3rd Worst Free Agency Acquisition
By Eric Yee
The Los Angeles Lakers have yet to formally introduce Timofey Mozgov to the team but he has already drawn the ire of ESPN’s Summer Forecast rankings
The Lakers’ decision to sign former Cleveland Cavaliers’ center, Timofey Mozgov to a four-year, $64 million deal with absolutely no options still has fans scratching their heads and ESPN solidified this with their “Worst Newcomer” rankings.
The logic in signing Mozgov is likely as follows: new coach, Luke Walton obviously sees him as an Andrew Bogut type asset, who will hopefully defend the rim and work in the pick-and-roll alongside Jordan Clarkson and D’Angelo Russell.
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Furthermore, with the way the salary cap jumped the contract isn’t that absurd in comparison to years past. However, this still doesn’t let the Lakers off the hook for signing a player until he’s 34 years old when there were plenty of other fish in the sea to be had.
Similar to the Rookie of the Year rankings posted a few days ago, a panel of over 200 ESPN members voted, with “a first-place vote receiving five points, a second-place vote receiving three and a third-place vote receiving one.”
With that in mind, Mozgov ranked third place behind Chicago Bulls new comer, Rajon Rondo who received 10 first place votes, 73 points total, and newest member of the New York Knicks, Derrick Rose who had seven first place votes himself, 60 points overall.
In a tie for fourth place was the Dallas Maverick’s acquisition, Harrison Barnes and Portland Trailblazers’ forward, Evan Turner.
In specific regards to Rondo and Rose, I would love to see them get back on track, especially because they were such a big part of the NBA just five or six years ago. So to have them find a way to turn back the hands of time would be great for the league.
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Like Ivica Zubac, I think many Lakers’ fans will be surprised at what Mozgov brings to the table, though I do believe he could be replaced in the starting lineup by the end of this season.