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NBA Trade Rumors: 5 Trades for Timofey Mozgov

By Aaron Ferguson

Jan 12, 2016; Dallas, TX, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers center Timofey Mozgov (20) warms up before the game against the Dallas Mavericks at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 12, 2016; Dallas, TX, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers center Timofey Mozgov (20) warms up before the game against the Dallas Mavericks at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 3, 2015; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Heat center Hassan Whiteside (21) blocks the shot of Atlanta Hawks forward Tiago Splitter (11) during the first half at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /

Atlanta Hawks

Why the Cavs do it:

It’s simple for Cleveland, Tiago Splitter is a center who has lost a step in production with the Atlanta Hawks. He could use a change of scenery, and he fits right in with the Cavs. At 6-foot-11, Splitter has the ability to alter and block shots and he is a good rebounder.

He can be a fifth option on offense and still be productive on that end of the floor. He has a 57.1 true shooting percentage this season and a 15.5 usage rate, both are slight improvements over Mozgov.

Sefolosha is an improvement on the offensive end for the Cavs. He could become a starter at the shooting guard position, or come off the bench at the same position or at small forward. His versatility on the wing as a defender provides Lue great flexibility moving forward.

The cap hit doesn’t impact the Cavs, but they would have Splitter and Sefolosha coming off the books for the 2017 offseason.

Why the Hawks do it:

With the Hawks currently on a three-game losing streak and in fifth place in the Eastern Conference standings, perhaps a move wouldn’t be a bad thing. They have already had contact with the Boston Celtics in a deal for Al Horford and Jeff Teague, according to NESN.com. Adding Mozgov and Shumpert may be the roster shakeup they need to get back on track.

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    • If the Hawks do trade Horford, they’d have an expiring contract in Mozgov that allows them to address the center position in free agency or in the 2016 NBA Draft.

    For now, the Hawks would be getting an improvement in the rebounding department. Mozgov has a 13.7 rebounding percentage, while Splitter is only at 11.5 percent. The biggest advantage would be giving the Hawks flexibility in addressing the center position in the future if they do decide to trade Horford, and if they don’t they still have a good backup.

    One area where Shumpert will help the Hawks is maintaining possession. He has a 14.3 usage rate and a 13.7 turnover rate. Comparing that with Sefolosha’s 12.8 usage rate and 13.4 turnover rate make him the better bargain. They can count on Shumpert for similar production on both ends of the court, like Sefolosha. However, he’s on a three-year contract with a team option for 2018-19 and will be making upwards of $9.6 million beginning next season.

    Bottom Line:

    I’m not crazy about this trade for the Hawks. I think they compromise great cap flexibility that they could have following next season for minimal, if any, improvement. However, it’s a good deal for the Cavs as they’d improve on the wing with Sefolosha and would have a new look with Splitter at center.

    According to John Hollinger’s trade machine, the Cavs’ projected win total would stay the same, and the Hawks would fall off by four wins.

    Next: Dallas Mavericks

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