If the Cleveland Cavaliers have any interest in acquiring Timofey Mozgov, they must be willing to give up a crucial piece of the roster in order to do so. The Cavaliers have put together a team that, on paper, looks built for the postseason. There is no argument as to who had the best offseason this summer after Cleveland signed LeBron James, Mike Miller, Shawn Marion, James Jones and traded for Kevin Love. They have the perfect mix of youth and veteran leadership that should end their postseason struggles. However, several other teams in the Eastern Conference are built for size, causing the Cavaliers to consider one more move.
There is size in the NBA and that is something that the Cavaliers might be lacking on. The Chicago Bulls have a huge front court as do the Indiana Pacers. The Western Conference as teams built for defense as well. Cleveland has size, but some have said that might be the biggest weakness heading into 2014. There is no question that Cleveland will be able to score, but defensively there is something to be desired.
Mozgov has become the favorite for Cleveland. The center has experience with head coach David Blatt as the two worked together on the Russian national team. He is considered a top, young big man and might be available considering his expiring contract. However, the Denver Nuggets are not going to let him go that easily. If the Nuggets are dealing Mozgov who thrived last season replacing the injury JaVale McGee, they are going to want a lot in return to the tune of draft picks and an impact player.
Cleveland is not willing to give that much up. According to Nate Duncan of BasketballInsiders.com, the Cavaliers have no interest in trading Tristan Thompson despite the Nuggets wanting the forward. Denver wants Thompson and a draft pick which is simply too much for a player that will likely come off the bench. There is no way Cleveland parts with their top-five protected picks for 2017 or 2018.
Would Dion Waiters be a trade piece in a deal for Mozgov. Again, he is too crucial to the Cavaliers this upcoming season to send him packing for a reserve. Duncan writes that Waiters is penciled in as a starter for 2014 which makes him essential to Cleveland, but also Denver does not need the guard. The Nuggets know that Kenneth Faried could be gone next summer and McGee could spend a portion of the year injured. They want size replacing size and Cleveland will not agree to the move.
