6 players the Lakers should have never gambled on

By Jason Reed | Aug 13, 2023

PORTLAND, OREGON - JANUARY 22: Russell Westbrook #0 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts during the first half against the Portland Trail Blazers at Moda Center on January 22, 2023 in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images) /

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(Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) – Timofey Mozgov /

The Lakers should have never gambled on Timofey Mozgov

It would be one thing if the Los Angeles Lakers just mad one really bad signing in the summer of 2016 and were able to get it off the books. But that is not what happened. The Lakers signed two horrendous contracts that offseason; one with Luol Deng and one with Timofey Mozgov.

Once again, instead of being able to sign a superstar, the Lakers had to settle for overpaying two role players. At least with Deng he had the pedigree and was a former all-star. Signing Timofey Mozgov, who was nothing more than a role player, made absolutely no sense.

The Lakers signed Mozgov to a four-year, $64 million contract. Even by today’s standards that is a massively high price for someone who produced what Mozgov produced at that time. By 2016’s standards, that was a horrendous deal that was only saved because the team was able to package him with D’Angelo Russell to get him off the books.

Mozgov averaged 6.3 points and 4.4 rebounds per game the season before he signed with the Lakers. He was entering his age-30 season. He was not even part of the Cavaliers’ playoff rotation as he averaged just 5.8 minutes per game.

The Lakers paid $64 million to that. Mitch Kupchak did a lot of great things with the Los Angeles Lakers but this is easily one of the worst signings not just in franchise history, but in NBA history.

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