By Jordan Long
The L.A. Lakers sit at 20-48, the worst record in the Western Conference. The only team whose record is below them in the NBA is the Brooklyn Nets who are 12-54. With 14 games left in the regular season, the Lakers have decided center Timofey Mozgov will be a healthy scratch for the rest of the year.
Mozgov was with the Cavaliers last season averaging 6.3 points and 4.4 rebounds per game. He helped Cleveland win the NBA Championship. In free agency, Mozgov decided to sign with the Lakers. The deal was a 4 year $64 million contract. The Lakers were hoping that Mozgov would be the starting center since Roy Hibbert went to the Charlotte Hornets in free agency. His height at 7 foot 1 inch was going to improve the Lakers on the defensive end.
This season Mosgov started 52 games. His numbers aren’t that impressive with 7.4 points and 4.9 rebounds per game. Since the start of March, Mozgov appeared in one game which was against the New Orleans Pelicans. He was on the floor for 15 minutes.
Mozgov lost playing time to Tarik Black and Ivica Zubac. The Lakers needed to shut him down for the year. The Lakers aren’t going anywhere but to the NBA lottery. They want to see what they have in Black and Zubac since they are the future of this Lakers team and Mozgov isn’t.
Once the year is over, the Lakers must decide what to do with Mozgov. The Lakers could try to trade him. The tricky part about dealing Mozgov is his salary. He is owed $48 million over the next three years. Teams may not want to take on this contract. The other option for the Lakers is to release him from his current agreement. Mozgov can then sign with any team he desires. The Lakers would have to take a cap hit of $16 million.
The Lakers will need to do what is best for the team. Mozgov is a productive player in the NBA but doesn’t seem to fit the L.A. Laker’s system. It makes sense for them to part ways.
What should the L.A. Lakers do with Timofey Mozgov once the season is over?
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