The Cleveland Cavaliers have been trying to work out a trade for Denver Nuggets center Timofey Mozgov for the past six to eight weeks, ESPN's Brian Windhorst said on ESPN Cleveland radio.
Mozgov played for Cavaliers head coach David Blatt on the Russian national team. Blatt told Russian outlet ITAR-TASS a few weeks ago that Cleveland had tried to acquire him, but it won't happen, via Sports.ru's Alexander Chernykh.
Of course the Cavs would want Mogzov. He's 7-foot-1 and skilled, coming off by far the best season of his career. It would be tricky to work out a deal, though. Mozgov is making $4.65 million this coming season and he has a $4.95 million team option the year after that. The Nuggets don't really have any reason to dump him for a package of say, Brendan Haywood and Cleveland's several unguaranteed contracts.
The most glaring need for the Cavaliers is a good backup center, given Anderson Varejao's struggles with injuries over the years. Kevin Love and Tristan Thompson can play the position in a pinch, but Cleveland would much rather get someone who can protect the paint. Mozgov could help there, but he's probably not attainable. Half the league is reportedly interested in free agent Emeka Okafor, including the Cavs, and the still-unsigned Ekpe Udoh would also fit well.
