Report: Cavaliers tried to trade first-round pick for Timofey Mozgov
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In an appearance on WFAN Radio on Thursday, Yahoo Sports reporter Adrian Wojnarowski revealed that the Cleveland Cavaliers tried to deal a future first-rounder to the Denver Nuggets for center Timofey Mozgov.
The Cavaliers' need for Mozgov is apparent, as the team sorely lacks rim protection. After the team acquires Kevin Love, they'll have two of the four worst rim-defenders, as rated by opponent field-goal percentage at the rim from last season - the other being power forward Tristan Thompson.
By the same metric, Mozgov allowed opponents to score 46.8 percent of the time, a mark that ranks similarly to defensive stalwarts Tim Duncan (47.6 percent) and Dwight Howard (47.8 percent).
Acquiring Mozgov also helps shore up depth on the Cavaliers' front line, as their starting center currently projects to be Anderson Varajeo, who is effective when he plays, but is often injured.
The deal would also make some sense for the Nuggets. The team currently has two centers in JaVale McGee and newly-drafted Jusuf Nurkic at the position. However, the sticking point is likely that the Cavaliers would need to send salary back in the range of Mozgov's $4.6 million for next season. It should also be noted that the Cavaliers' pick presumably wouldn't be all that valuable.
Mozgov averaged 9.4 points, 6.4 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per game in Denver last season.