Timofey Mozgov to Cavaliers: Latest Trade Details, Comments and Reaction

Correspondent IIIJanuary 7, 2015

Getty Images

The Cleveland Cavaliers seem to be pulling out all the stops to keep their 2014-15 NBA season from careening off the tracks.

After a recent blockbuster trade to land J.R. Smith and Iman Shumpert and bolster the perimeter rotation, Cleveland is seeking help in the frontcourt in the form of Denver Nuggets center Timofey Mozgov.

Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports reports Wednesday that yet another deal will be going down, with Mozgov going to the Cavaliers in exchange for two first-round draft picks:

Adrian Wojnarowski @wojespn
Cleveland has agreed to a deal in principle to acquire Denver center Timofey Mogzgov for two first-round picks, league source tells Yahoo.

Adrian Wojnarowski @wojespn
Cleveland will send Denver two picks that it controls via Memphis and Oklahoma City, league source tells Yahoo. No other players in deal.

The Cavs would later confirm the trade:

Cleveland Cavaliers @cavs
The #Cavs acquire C Timofey Mozgov and a 2015 2nd round pick. [MORE]: http://t.co/CHsL3fSxjK #AllForOne http://t.co/HtFKe15msP

General manager David Griffin commented on the move via Bleacher Report's Ethan Skolnick:

Ethan J. Skolnick @EthanJSkolnick
David Griffin on Mozgov: "This puts us in position to battle any size we may face. I wish I could put him out there for the 2nd half."

ESPN's Brian Windhorst reported that the Cavs were interested in trading for Mozgov as far back as August 2014 (h/t ProBasketballTalk.com's Brett Pollakoff). Now, that's becoming a reality following a discouraging 19-16 start to Cleveland's season.

Mozgov is over 7' tall and a massive, athletic presence in the paint that the Cavs need to bolster their defense. Cleveland is giving up 105.4 points per 100 possessions, ranking eighth worst in the Association, per NBA.com.

Los Angeles Lakers legend Magic Johnson highlighted the area that's been hurting the Cavs the most:

✨ Watch more top videos, highlights, and B/R original content

Earvin Magic Johnson @MagicJohnson
Iman Shumpert becomes a big upgrade as a defender for the Cavs because dribble penetration has killed them all season.

While the addition of Shumpert and Smith should prove fruitful, having a rim protector like Mozgov to help out could be a game-changer. Anderson Varejao is out for the year with a torn Achilles, which severely weakened an already thin Cavs frontcourt platoon.

Dave McMenamin of ESPN weighed in on the price Cleveland is slated to pay in addition to Mozgov's history with Cleveland coach David Blatt:

Dave McMenamin @mcten
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
If the deal goes through, David Blatt gets a much-needed player with ties/loyalty to him, having coached Mozgov on Russian national team

That familiarity factor has to be a considerable driving force behind the exorbitant compensation Griffin is prepared to offer in this potential trade.

It's evident that LeBron James' return has spurred the front office into action, as it wasted little time in bringing All-Star Kevin Love to town this offseason. However, it comes down to whether Blatt can get his players to execute on the court.

It's better to make significant roster changes earlier in the year rather than later, and with James out of the lineup and injured at the moment, chemistry is still a worrisome issue the Cavs must sort out soon.