Mozgov claims Lakers have 'special play' for him to shoot 3s

Many scoffed when the Los Angeles Lakers opened free agency by senselessly signing a veteran shot-blocker in Timofey Mozgov to a rich $64-million contract.

The thought was that Mozgov, an average starter at best, was an expensive acquisition given that he hardly moves the needle. But what if there was more to his game that he has yet to show?

Like, for example, what if Mozgov can shoot threes?

The 30-year-old Russian told Mark Medina of the Los Angeles Daily News that his new employers want him to flash his range.

"I got a special play for me," Mozgov said when asked if the team wanted him to shoot threes. When that answer was met with a laugh, Mozgov qualified it by saying, "It's no joke. I'm serious."

The claim might seem silly considering Mozgov only has made seven career threes against 39 attempts in six seasons, but he does have a decent jump shot.

He hit 47 percent of his looks from between 16-feet out to the 3-point line last season, and there's also some video evidence of Mozgov draining treys during practice:

But put it this way: if the Lakers need to run this special play to get Mozgov a look from three, then the Lakers are in deep trouble.