With about two months left in the season, the Los Angeles Lakers made the decision to shut down veteran center Timofey Mozgov for the rest of the year despite being more than healthy enough to play.
It's a move that signaled that the organization was transitioning to playing the young core group of players in significant roles on the floor with the playoffs out of reach. In a recent interview with Rinat Salahetdinov of Championat.com, Mozgov voiced that he still doesn't understand why he was shut down.
“This was my coach said before the game. For me it was a big surprise. Frankly, it all came as a surprise, even for Walton. I did not understand what motivated the authorities to take such a decision. I still can not understand it. But I'm not trying to figure out the details. They do not want to put in the – so do not want to.”
Mozgov had been playing in a steady role up to that point of the season making 52 starts in the 54 games that he played while averaging 7.4 points and 4.9 rebounds in 20.5 minutes per contest. However, the Lakers were looking to give rookie center Ivica Zubac some more playing time in the second half of the year, especially with the playoffs being out of the question.
It provided the Lakers with the valid excuse that they are focused on developing young talent more than the outcome of each contest. This displaces Mozgov a bit, but he is still under contract for three more seasons worth $48 million left on his original four-year, $64 million deal that was signed last summer.
It will be interesting to see what the Lakers will do with Mozgov moving forward as the new management under Magic Johnson could look to move on from the veteran big man if the opportunity presents itself. All in all, his role with the team is still unclear and should receive more clarity as the offseason rolls along.
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