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NBA Cavaliers trade for Timofey Mozgov - ESPN
The Cleveland Cavaliers have acquired center Timofey Mozgov from the Denver Nuggets, multiple sources told ESPN.com.
The Cavs, who have been in discussions with the Nuggets for Mozgov for months, are paying a steep price by sending two protected first-round picks to get the deal done. The Cavs will send a future pick they own from the Memphis Grizzlies from a 2013 trade and a first-rounder they acquired from the Oklahoma City Thunder earlier this week in a deal involving Dion Waiters.
The Nuggets, who are 15-20 and likely going to miss the playoffs, will clear money from their books and also pick up a $4.6 million trade exception from the Cavs. The Thunder pick is top-18 protected this year and top-15 protected in each of the following years. The Grizzlies' pick will go to Denver if it falls between picks 6-14 in the next two years and is top-five protected for two years after that.
Mozgov has a strong relationship with Cavs coach David Blatt, who was his coach on the Russian national team when it won a bronze medal in the 2012 Olympics in London. The Cavs' desire to get Mozgov increased after they lost Anderson Varejao for the season to a torn Achilles last month.
The Cavs also targeted Mozgov, who is averaging 8.5 points and 7.8 rebounds this season, because he has a favorable team option worth $4.95 million next season.
The Cavs, who have been in discussions with the Nuggets for Mozgov for months, are paying a steep price by sending two protected first-round picks to get the deal done. The Cavs will send a future pick they own from the Memphis Grizzlies from a 2013 trade and a first-rounder they acquired from the Oklahoma City Thunder earlier this week in a deal involving Dion Waiters.
The Nuggets, who are 15-20 and likely going to miss the playoffs, will clear money from their books and also pick up a $4.6 million trade exception from the Cavs. The Thunder pick is top-18 protected this year and top-15 protected in each of the following years. The Grizzlies' pick will go to Denver if it falls between picks 6-14 in the next two years and is top-five protected for two years after that.
Mozgov has a strong relationship with Cavs coach David Blatt, who was his coach on the Russian national team when it won a bronze medal in the 2012 Olympics in London. The Cavs' desire to get Mozgov increased after they lost Anderson Varejao for the season to a torn Achilles last month.
The Cavs also targeted Mozgov, who is averaging 8.5 points and 7.8 rebounds this season, because he has a favorable team option worth $4.95 million next season.