The Cleveland Cavaliers showed interest this summer in a trade for Timofey Mozgov with the Denver Nuggets and as the season moves along the Cavs could look at the deal again, while reports have a number of teams interested in making a trade, but after signing Kenneth Faried to a new contract, the Nuggets are not actively looking to deal their young center.
The Cavaliers made the trade for Kevin Love this summer and they would like to add some more defense on the inside and that is where the interest in Mozgov came from. The team looked at a trade this summer, but the Nuggets were not satisfied with their package of players and that means the Cavs would have to trade Dion Waiters or Tristan Thompson to get a deal done. The Cavs don't appear willing to do that and since Mozgov is signed through next year, it appears the Nuggets aren't looking to deal him right now.
Things could change as the season wears on and the Cavaliers could be in greater need of Mozgov once things get closer to the trade deadline. The Cavaliers feel that they have the best team in the east and while Love is not the greatest defender in the world, he is a double-double machine and has the chance to help lead his team to a title with LeBron James. Mozgov has a very manageable salary for this year and next season and that is another reason why the team is reluctant to move him.
Things obviously could change, as JaVale McGee is on his way back from an injury and if the Nuggets don't play well again, the team could opt to make moves. Mozgov could net some picks or a decent player with how he has performed and his potential and the Cavaliers may end up having someone out of the rotation when the time comes for dealing. Either way, the Cavaliers are happy with the team they have and would be fine playing the season that way, but there always is room for improvement.
The Cavaliers have Anderson Varejao up front with Love and the team also added veterans like James Jones and Mike Miller. The roster has a number of young players like Kyrie Irving, Dion Waiters and Tristan Thompson developing and James has said that the team has as much talent as anyone in the league. Waiters has been mentioned in trade rumors the past two seasons and he could be one to get moved if the Cavaliers want to deal for Mozgov.
The Cavaliers pulled off the Kevin Love trade after moving Andrew Wiggins and Anthony Bennett and now they have a Big 3 of LeBron, Love and Irving. There likely is not a better trio in the league right now and the team has the Chicago Bulls and Indiana Pacers as the other top teams in the division. The East should be easy for the Cavs, but there are very solid teams like the Bulls, Wizards, Miami Heat and Pacers coming in and that should make the races very interesting.
