NBA Free Agency: Timofey Mozgov agrees to four-year, $64 million contract with Lakers

Timofey Mozgov has agreed to a four-year deal worth $64 million with the Lakers. He’ll step in as their starting center and is getting paid $16 million per season despite struggling heavily last season with the Cavs. The Vertical’s Adrian Wojnarowski was the first to report the news.

Original Story

Add another team to the list of those interested in Timofey Mozgov.

According Adrian Wojnarowski of The Vertical, the Los Angeles Lakers are making a ‘serious run’ at Mozgov at free agency kicks off. Mozgov became an unrestricted free agent at midnight on July 1 when free agency began. On The Vertical’s live free agency show, Wojnarowski called Mozgov a ‘centerpiece’ of the Lakers’ plan in free agency, especially after Hassan Whiteside declined to meet with them.

The Lakers are the seventh team linked to Mozgov in free agency. The New York Knicks were first on the list - although they are reportedly on the verge of signing Joakim Noah - and the Golden State Warriors, Houston Rockets, San Antonio Spurs and Miami Heat are also reportedly interested. Additionally, the Boston Celtics also may pursue Mozgov if they can’t land Al Horford.

With all of the interest Mozgov coming early - even if he’s a backup plan for teams - it appears now that his time in Cleveland will be over shortly. Every other team listed can offer Mozgov more money and the Lakers in particular have the cap pace to pay Mozgov more than the Cavs can and/or are willing to offer.

Update - July 1, 12:32 a.m.

Per Wojnarowski, Mozgov is negotiating a four-year, $65 million dollar deal with the Lakers and the deal could get done tonight. We’ll update as more information becomes available.