Lakers Free Agency Grades: Timofey Mozgov Signing
C. Los Angeles Lakers. TIMOFEY MOZGOV. C.
Let’s start off with the $64 million elephant in the room.
It’s a lot of money to be giving a guy who played just 76 minutes in the playoffs for the team that ultimately lifted the Larry O’Brien Trophy at the end of the season but it wasn’t due to poor play. Mozgov was a casualty to the fact that the Cavs had to use a small ball lineup to combat the specific teams they squared off against. Even still, Mozgov only averaged 17 minutes per game and a $16 million annual salary is a lot to be giving that kind of player.
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The overpay is mainly due to the rising cap. With the salary cap increased to $94 million this season and teams having to spend at least 90 percent of that ($84.6 million) or be penalized, average players will command larger contracts and Mozgov is a beneficiary of the rule.
However, a player making $16 million under this cap is comparable to a $10 million player under last year’s cap, which is a fair price for Mozgov. With the salary cap increasing yet again next offseason, it’s likely that this contract will end up looking even better a year from now.
When it comes to Mozgov’s skill set, he’s actually a great fit for the Lakers. Mozgov has proven to be skilled in the pick and roll, averaging 1.22 points every time the Cavaliers ran the pick and roll with him, making him a reliable partner for either D’Angelo Russell or Jordan Clarkson. His most defining trait is that he is a brick wall when setting a screen, giving the ball handler multiple options each time down the court.
He is also a gifted rebounder, especially on the offensive end, averaging roughly two offensive rebounds per game over the course of his career which could end up being a difference maker in a close game. Mozgov isn’t a renown shot blocker, but he does have a better presence in the paint on defense than Roy Hibbert, which is all you can ask for at this point.
All in all, the signing is a little disappointing due to the amount of money the team has given to him paired with the length of the contract. As more details become known as to how much money and how many years are guaranteed, this deal may be slightly less confusing. Of course, if Mozgov can play to the full potential his 7-1, 275 pound frame has to offer, people will overlook how much he is being paid.
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There are so many different outcomes that make this deal difficult to predict how it will end up, so a C grade is fair. While the Lakers will surely make more moves this offseason, they are definitely off to a questionable start with this deal, but only time will tell if Timofey Mozgov can prove those doubting him and the team wrong.