Timofey Mozgov (Photo : Andrew D. Bernstien | Getty Images Sport)
The LA Lakers needed to fill up the gap at center in the offseason after letting Roy Hibbert walk as expected.
While there were a lot of options, the Lakers became proactive and made the first signing in the summer by signing Timofey Mozgov to a long-term contract that shocked the league.
Incoming Lakers head coach Luke Walton took responsibility for signing Mozgov as he admits that he recommended the move. He bared this information to LA Today radio show (h/t Lakers Nation).
"To me, the best way to run is to get stops on defense. And the best way to get stops on defense is to have a big that can anchor that defense down and change shots and block shots, and now we're out and running," Walton said.
Walton really believes that Mozgov can be a contributor on both sides of the court. It is unknown who determined the contract (four years, no team options) length.
He continued: "He also allows us to be able to run half court sets through the post and things of that nature. I was huge on pushing to try to get Mozgov and I'm thrilled that we were able to get that done."
There was a report that Mozgov got injured in a friendly game between Russia and Ukraine but he has reportedly been given a clean bill of health (as per LA Times).
With Mozgov now healthy and expected to attend training camp, the latest roster moves of the Lakers seem puzzling. Jabari Davis of Basketball Insiders has confirmed that the Lakers now have a logjam at the frontcourt.
"After taking Croatian big man Ivica Zubac in the second round of June's draft, the team then signed veteran center Timofey Mozgov to a four-year contract last month. Recently, L.A. also signed Yi Jianlian and rookie Zach Auguste to deals as well. Tarik Black is also reportedly set to re-sign."
Those are five frontline players, centers or power forwards and that is excluding Julius Randle and Larry Nance, Jr. Both are also power forwards and it was projected that Walton may field them together in small-ball lineups. That seems unlikely with all the other players in the mix.
Davis believes that the Tinseltown team may not be done. "The Lakers are in the rare position of not having high expectations in 2016-17, so it will be very interesting to see if the front office is actually setting up potential transactions for the future."
If the Lakers plan to consolidate their assets, they could get veterans in return but they may have to ship out Julius Randle or Larry Nance in the process. This is a scenario that we should keep an eye on.
