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The Cleveland Cavaliers have picked up Timofey Mozgov's team option for next season, according to the Los Angeles Times' Eric Pincus.
The move was expected given Mozgov's strong performance for the Cavs and his team-friendly 2015-16 salary of just $4,950,000.
The Cavs will have to work out a new deal with LeBron James while trying to keep free agent big men Kevin Love and Tristan Thompson (restricted), who could both command max deals. In addition, Iman Shumpert is set for restricted free agency while J.R. Smith will likely test the UFA waters.
In other words, the defending Eastern Conference champions will find themselves with little financial wiggle room in trying to upgrade their roster, with a massive luxury tax bill expected for next season.
Having Mozgov on the books for less than $5 million is a bargain in more ways than one, then.
The 28-year-old center averaged 10.6 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks for the Cavs after being acquired from Denver in a January trade, anchoring Cleveland's stunning and season-saving turnaround on the defensive end.
With Mozgov on the court this season, the Cavs allowed 100.9 points per 100 possessions, which would have matched the eighth-ranked Indiana Pacers' D. Without Mozgov, Cleveland allowed 105.6 points per 100 possessions, in line with a 26th-ranked defensive unit.
