Timofey Mozgov Discussion: Shut Down For Season (66)

Hopefully Clarkson's contract is guaranteed for 4 years since Deng and Mosgov were given that curtesy. And what happens as far as our cap space in 2-3 years when it is time to reup the youth, assuming they have progressed, and Deng and Mosgov are still in the books. Maybe not such a big deal by then seeing as how the cap is aggressively trending up.

This is an excerpt from a Fox Sports article that captures what I feel is at the foundation of the Lakers' less than mediocre performance over the past several years and now:

"The brand of the Lakers used to emanate seriousness. With Jim Buss running basketball operations, that's no longer the case. The part-owner in charge of the team's roster is not taken seriously by anyone in the league, and as long as he's in a position of power and influence, neither will the Lakers. With him in leading the way, how could anyone believe there's a plan to win titles in Los Angeles?"​

 

Jimmy Boy is gone. It's a formality at this point. As for the cap space Deng and Mozgov don't prevent us from potentially getting Russell Westbrook in free agency next year.

 

The team needed more than Hibbert, Black and Zubac. The top names at C were definitely not coming here; the FO figured that out quickly and got their man before he could be bid up. Had his agent seen what Noah and Bazemore got, well his price tag would have been up there too.

Those who don't like this signing have been completely and totally unable to provide realistic alternatives aside from sticking with one or more of Hibbert, Black and Zubac. About the only reasonable point they can make is about the amount of money. Well first, they made that offer to lock him up right away and second, remember the cap is going dramatically higher down the road so this will eventually be seen as a reasonable deal in that context.

Walton and Shaw like him, he is reputed to be a good locker room guy who works hard, that's good enough for me. If he can match his 2014-15 production that would be excellent.

 

yipes on the guarantee and yipes on biyombo getting basically the same deal to be a backup in orlando. FO better hope they were right, or this will look really bad. i do think there's a chance, though.

 

one could argue the mozgov deal set the market. lakers trollin'!

hey, if moz is the guy from two years ago, he's better than biz and mahinmi. if not, ryan west is hopefully the new gm.

 

Do you remember rydjorker? He wrote those scouting reports on CL. I always found him very informative; although a little too pessimistic for me at times, but he was solid.

Anyway, he wrote a scouting report in LG. He likes this move. It surprised me. Anyway, FWIW, just thought I'd mention it.

 

That is interesting and surprising coming from him. Yes typically leaned pessimistic. Good to hear. Maybe Luuke and Bryan do have a clue.

 

Could you post his scouting reports here?

 

I was reading GT's commentary on it earlier on LG. He was very high on Biyombo. Although, disappointed we didn't pursue him, he explained the 'basketball rationale' as he put it on why the Lakers might have favored Mosgov.

 

I can't. I was told it's his content and we needed his permission.

 

For sure.

 

I think the majority of us don't feel good about this signing because of the length of this deal. 4 year deal with no options? So in 2020 the Lakers will have a 34 year old Mozgov and 35 year old Deng clogging up 40 million of their cap.

The Lakers lose any flexibility in years 3 and 4 when these guys inevitably become toxic contracts (think the Erik Dampier and Allan Houston deals of the early 2000s).

I would love to hear how the negotiations went over the phone between Mitch and Mozhov's agent.

Mitch: "we would love to offer you a 3 year deal for 36 mil (12 mil/year)"

Mozgov's Agent: "my client averaged 10 points 7 rebounds 2 years ago. Do you really think you can find that productivity anywhere else for 15 million a year?!?! He just won a ring Mitch! We are waiting on multiple max contract offers this summer! "

Mitch: fine...let's compromise, your expecting 20 mil a year and I offered 12, lets meet in the middle at 16mil and I will offer additional security with a 4 year if we get this done right now....

Mozgov's Agent: your a tough negotiator, but okay since we like the direction your franchise is going with the new coach. You have a deal.

*phone click*

Mozgov's agent: yo moz! How do you say sucker in Russian??

 

The only positive I see in this if it becomes and issue is hopefully it finally rids us of that ball cap wearing slap Jim Buss.