Timofey Mozgov is L.A.’s X-Factor

The free agent signing that was mocked more than any other this offseason, Timofey Mozgov could help the Lakers escape their status as the worst in the West.

After primarily watching the Cavaliers win the title from the bench, perhaps even Mozgov began to doubt his worth on the open market. Here in the new age–where Draymond Green and Tristan Thompson were receiving heavy minutes at center–who was going to throw the big bucks at a 30-year-old center who isn’t exactly swift-footed nor much of a floor-spacer?

If this were all happening twenty years ago, everyone would’ve said L.A., but back then they’d have meant the Clippers. Today no one was surprised that the Lakers were the ones to bite the bullet. However, Mozgov fills a need given that the team decided not to give the Roy Hibbert experiment a second try. It may be that Larry Nance Jr. is cut from the same cloth as Thompson, but Nance still seems like a player who’s a few years away from peaking or being ready for a starting role.

Until then, Nance should absorb a thing or two from the fun-loving Russian bear who didn’t let a lack of playing time stop him from thoroughly enjoying his first championship. Don’t imagine for a second that Luke Walton isn’t aware of how well Mozgov carried himself and supported his teammates despite playing only 25 minutes during the entire seven-game series. To put things in perspective, Mozgov averaged 28.2 minutes per game in the 2015 NBA Finals, so he could’ve easily become a grumpy, curmudgeonly character.

The funny thing is that at the end of the day, Mozgov will be the one carrying them–at least for now. His rim protection is essentially the only thing that could keep this Laker defense afloat. Barring interference from the injury gods, D’Angelo Russell is ready for a breakout sophomore season. However, offense is not defense–and bringing in a versatile vet like Luol Deng would have been nice–but not enough to shore up the gap in the middle or redefine the franchise.

Enter Mozgov, the 7-1 center who will be tasked with plugging the middle for a team that collectively played about as much defense as James Harden last season. In 369 games, Mozgov has averaged 6.9 points (53.7 FG, 72.9 FT), 5.0 rebounds, 0.9 blocks, 0.5 assists, and 0.3 steals in 18.2 minutes per contest.

Mozgov enters the campaign nursing a tailbone bruise, but is expected to play through it. He has played through much worse, and his presence in the lineup will go a long way toward making sure that Philadelphia ends up with two lottery picks this season. Jokes aside, Mozgov still has the potential to play a meaningful role in the NBA, especially on a team severely lacking what he brings to the table.

There’s so much noise that the Lakers need to tune out going forward. Lose enough to keep their draft pick and folks will laugh. Or show sizable improvement, win closer to 30 games, and risk setting the franchise back by kissing that pick goodbye. 2016-17 is as close to lose-lose as it gets for L.A., but this is where having experienced players such as Mozgov and Deng really matters. These two can provide perspective and leadership both in good times and bad.

For as much fun as it’s going to be seeing Russell unleashed from the shackles of Byron Scott, an offense-only roster doesn’t make my list of must-watch squads. I can’t believe I’m about to say this, but I’m actually excited to watch the Lakers this year–with no small thanks to Timofey Mozgov.