The new era of Los Angeles Lakers basketball, under the regime of head coach Luke Walton and general manager Mitch Kupchak, is well underway, with training camp starting in just under three weeks. In perhaps a shocking fashion that he is accustomed to, Kupchak laid the foundation for the announcement of the Timofey Mozgov signing at the beginning of free agency.
While the signing turned out to be the introduction of the salary cap increase heading into the 2016-17 season, it also set the market for the varying centers that were still unsigned or undecided.
The Russian center injured his groin during an international friendly, but recovered well enough to rejoin the Lakers at practice a few days later.
Walton was a firm believer of Mozgov, which anchored the Lakers into completing the signing. Walton reiterated the defensive prowess that the 30-year-old brings to the Lakers, which will anchor their up-tempo offense.
While the National Basketball Association is rapidly evolving behind the foundation of Mike D’Antoni and Steve Kerr, the typical guard-forward-center combination is ceasing to exist.
Although Mozgov fits the prototypical center description, the six-year player has begun to show his ability to stretch the floor.
While Mozgov remains a foundation of the Russian national team, the 7’1″ center demonstrated his ability to stretch the floor, courtesy of the Russian Basketball Federation (H/T to Team Lakers Instagram):
A video posted by Team Lakers (@teamlakers) on
Coming into this season, Mozgov has attempted 39 three-point field goal attempts, with seven shots going in.
During his last season with the Cleveland Cavaliers, Mozgov insisted many times to then head coach David Blatt that he was capable of shooting threes during a game. The pairing had a relationship stemming back to the Russian national team, so the familiarity provided an opportunity for the center to voice his opinion.
The presumed starting center of the Lakers entering training camp gave a candid explanation of the roster recently, stating it may take time for the roster to acclimate and become fluid with one another on the court.
With a revamped roster, a head coach ready to lead and interchangeable positions on the roster, the future is exciting for the new era of Lakers basketball.