The Cleveland Cavaliers have finally completed the Kevin Love trade with the Timberwolves and now the Cavs could be interested in more moves after signing Shawn Marion, as reports have a trade for Timofey Mozgov with the Denver Nuggets as a target, but right now a deal is not close since Denver is not happy with what would get in return so far, meaning the team may have to give up Dion Waiters or someone like that to get it done.
According to Pro Basketball Talk, the Cavaliers are interested in a deal for Timofey Mozgov with the Denver Nuggets, but right now the two sides are not close to a deal. The Cavs haven't offered a good enough package yet and the Nuggets may not want to take a bunch of players on non-guaranteed contracts, meaning they may have to give up some solid players like Dion Waiters or Tristan Thompson to get it done.
Last season Mozgov put up solid numbers, going for 9.4 points and 6.4 rebounds for career best numbers and now the Cavs are looking to add him. Mozgov previously played for coach David Blatt and he is a very good defensive player, which would help counter Kevin Love, who is more offense minded. Mozgov is owed $4.65 million next season and he also has a team option at just below $5 million after that.
The Cavaliers now are the favorites in the east and they have a very strong roster of young and veteran players coming together. This all comes after the Kevin Love trade talks heated up between the Cleveland Cavaliers and Timberwolves after the Chicago Bulls jumped in and now names like Andrew Wiggins and Anthony Bennett are with the Timberwolves and it comes after the team was also considering Taj Gibson and Doug McDermott from Chi town.
The Cavaliers originally did not want to put Wiggins in the deal, but eventually they relented to what Minnesota wanted. Cleveland first offered Bennett along with Dion Waiters and a first round pick, but the Timberwolves were trying to drive the price up on Love and they got the Cavs to give in on Wiggins, but many thought their real plan was to get the Golden State Warriors to add Klay Thompson. The Golden State Warriors were also in the mix they did not want to give up Thompson. The team is not willing to add Thompson to the package and that is the player that Flip Saunders reportedly wants over everyone else. The Warriors originally offered Harrison Barnes and David Lee.
The Bulls jumped in along with Cleveland for a time and they were the biggest threats to the Cavs getting a deal done, but did not win out. The Bulls had rookies to deal but they are more experienced than the package from Cleveland and while players like Wiggins or Bennett may have more upside, Chicago had players that can play right now. The Cavs had the inside edge since they are offering two former number one overall picks, even with the delay after Wiggins signed.
