The Cleveland Cavaliers are reportedly looking for a trade with Denver Nuggets for Russian big man Timofey Mozgov, according to multiple sources.
The Cavs are still in search of personnel to further bolster their lineup. The team has already acquired versatile defender Shawn Marion and is set to get Kevin Love in a blockbuster trade with the Minnesota Timberwolves. However, general manager David Griffin and head coach David Blatt are not contented yet with their rotation.
In an interview with Russian News Agency ITAR-TASS, Blatt, who previously as the coach of the Russian men's basketball team, said the Cavs front office tried to trade for the 7-foot Mozgov. He also expressed his desire to add another former player in Alexey Shved from the T-Wolves.
"New Cavaliers head coach David Blatt recently said the front office tried to trade for Nuggets big man Timofey Mozgov and that Cleveland would also love to add guard Alexey Shved of the Minnesota Timberwolves, according to Alexander Chernykh of Sports.ru, citing an interview Blatt gave to Russia News Agency ITAR-TASS," via Sports Illustrated.
Cleveland has been trying to add a shotblocking center to back up Brazilian center Anderson Verajao in their frontline.
The 28-year old Mosgov averaged 9.4 points, 6.4 rebounds and 1.2 blocks in 82 games for the Nuggets last season. He has been huge for the team in the later part of their 2013-14 campaign, which saw him racking up a 23-point and 29-rebound game against the Golden State Warriors last April.
Meanwhile, it's still unclear if Shved will be included in the Love trade expected to happen later this August. According to sources, Cavs will be sending Andrew Wiggins, Anthony Bennett and a protected first round pick to the T-Wolves for the All-Star power forward.
"The Cavs' currently have Anderson Varejao at center so it's possible Cleveland could be looking to bolster its depth in the front court with a deal sometime this season. It's unclear whether Blatt will go after Mozgov or Shved after the reported trade with the Wolves, which is expected to happen at the end of August," via Sports Illustrated.
If the Mozgov option doesn't work for the Cavs, then the team could make a run for veteran center Emeka Okafor, who remains available on the market. The former UConn standout sat out the entire 2013-14 season due to a neck injury. Nevertheless, he could be a solid acquisition for any team, averaging 12.3 points, 9.9 rebounds and 1.7 blocks throughout his career.
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