The Cleveland Cavaliers are not happy about their start to the season, and displayed their dissatisfaction Wednesday by pulling the trigger on yet another trade.
According to team sources, the Cavs have acquired center Timofey Mozgov from the Denver Nuggets, marking their second significant roster move this week.
The Cavs have apparently been in discussions with the Nuggets for Mozgov since the preseason, and are now willing to pay a heavy price by sending two protected first-round picks to Denver. The Cavs will send a future pick they own from the Memphis Grizzlies from a 2013 trade and their 2015 protected first-round pick they acquired from the Oklahoma City Thunder earlier this week in a three-way trade with the Knicks that sent guard Dion Waiters to Oklahoma City. The Nuggets also sent the rights to a future second-round pick to Cleveland.
Keep in mind w/ the seeming king’s ransom of two 1st Rds for Timofey: Price pales in comparison of Love walking because CLE didn’t contend
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) enero 7, 2015
The Cavs’ desire to get Mozgov was certainly increased after they lost Anderson Varejao for the season to a torn Achilles on Dec. 23rd. Kevin Love has been forced to slide to the center position at times, as the Cavs decided somewhat surprisingly to keep using Tristan Thompson in a limited roll off the bench, instead opting to start the aging and unproductive Brendan Haywood in Verajao’s place.
It has been a busy week for the Cavs, as they have now acquired three significant rotation players in the span of three days. In addition to Mozgov, the team acquired J.R. Smith and Iman Shumpert from the New York Knicks in Monday’s trade. Smith is expected to make his debut when the Cavs host the Rockets on Wednesday night, while Shumpert is out for at least two more weeks with a shoulder injury that he sustained on Dec. 12th. Mozgov is expected to join the Cavs on a five-game road trip that begins Friday night in Oakland against the Golden State Warriors.
LeBron James has been out since Dec. 30th with knee and back strains, and will miss his sixth straight game Wednesday. He is expected to return during the Cavs’ upcoming road trip. The Cav’s have gone 1-4 during his absence.
Cavs coach David Blatt and Mozgov have a strong relationship dating back to 2012, when Blatt coached Mozgov and the Russian national team when it won a bronze medal in the 2012 Olympics in London. The Cavs also targeted Mozgov thanks to his team option worth $4.95 million next season.
Mozgov, is averaging 8.5 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks per game this season, his fifth in the league.
While the 7 ft. 1 in. center’s arrival provides for a suitable replacement for Varejao, Blatt receiving loyalty and support from a player like Mozgov could be a big positive for a team that has been rumored to be at odds with the coach as of late, with a 19-16 start only adding to the increased pressure of a team expected to contend for the Eastern Conference title after LeBron James and Kevin Love came to town in the offseason.
Mozgov is definitely serviceable on the offensive end of the court, but more importantly, his arrival gives the Cavs a much needed defensive boost and rim-protector in place of Verajao. Cleveland currently ranks 23rd in the NBA with 44.2 points allowed in the paint per game, and 26th in blocks per game with 4.1. With the arrival of Shumpert on the perimeter, the Cavs have addressed glaring needs defensively inside and out, and will likely show significant improvement once the team is fully healthy.
It appears that Cleveland is not done making moves yet, however.
In a separate transaction Wednesday, the Cavs waived guard A.J. Price, who had a non-guaranteed contract. The move opens a roster spot to add a potential free agent later this season. The Cavs have been one of numerous teams courting free agent veteran sharp-shooter Ray Allen, and LeBron would no doubt love to have his former Heat teammate back at his side in his quest to bring an elusive NBA title to his home state.
