Lakers Free Agency Grades: Timofey Mozgov Signing

Jan 4, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers center Timofey Mozgov (20) during the second quarter at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 4, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers center Timofey Mozgov (20) during the second quarter at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
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Jan 6, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers center Timofey Mozgov (20) shoots the ball against the Washington Wizards in the first quarter at Verizon Center. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 6, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers center Timofey Mozgov (20) shoots the ball against the Washington Wizards in the first quarter at Verizon Center. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

Free agency kicked off with a bang for the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday night, as just after the clock turned to 9:01 PT, they had reportedly agreed to a deal with a center, as many had expected they would do.  It just wasn’t one of the big men people were expecting.

The Purple and Gold quickly agreed to a 4 year, $64 million deal with former Cleveland Cavaliers’ big man, Timofey Mozgov, to the surprise and anger of many. With news earlier in the day that the team had not even landed so much as a meeting with Hassan Whiteside and that Al Horford preferred to go to a team with title hopes next season, Lakers fans knew that their expectations had to be lowered.

Even still, Mozgov’s name had not circulated around the team’s rumor mill, making it a surprise that the team signed him so quickly, let alone to the amount of money the deal is worth.

Lakers fans were visibly angered and confused by the deal, but is this deal really as bad as it seems? We’ll break down the pros and cons of the deal and see if it was worth bringing in the Russian big man.

Next: Final Grade

Schedule