Lakers rumors: Which veteran is best to trade before deadline?

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January 15, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Detroit Pistons center Andre Drummond (0) moves to the basket against Los Angeles Lakers center Timofey Mozgov (20) during the first half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /

Timofey Mozgov

Age: 30

Exp: 6 years

Position: Center

Salary: $16M

However we got to the point where Timofey Mozgov was the second highest Lakers player for any amount of time during a season, I don’t know. It was a tough off-season, and Los Angeles failed to lure any big free agents. This caused them to look where they wouldn’t normally go and they ended up wasting a lot of money on an ineffective big man.

Mozgov, like Calderon, isn’t necessarily bad, but it’s hard to argue he’s worthy of a starting spot.

Thankfully, Tarik Black has been a force to be reckoned with for Los Angeles and has found his way into the rotation rather nicely.

As for Mozgov, the former Cavalier is averaging 7.4 points and 4.9 rebounds per game. It is shocking to see how bad the team has been the last few seasons, but keeping Mozgov any longer than the All-Star break does them more bad than good.

The major issue the Lakers run into with trying to deal him is their own fault. It’s one thing to try and convince another team to take him for his talent — but good luck when that’s mixed with the kind of money he’s making.

You have to give credit to Mozgov for at least one thing though — he found a way to get paid.

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