5 Los Angeles Lakers With The Most To Prove In 2016-17

C Timofey Mozgov

When someone signs a four-year, $64 million contract, it’s typically safe to assume they’re a star. Unfortunately, that’s not the case for Mozgov, who may actually be nothing more than a solid backup and sub-par starter. The Lakers are hoping that’s not the case.

Los Angeles paid him this offseason to be their starting center, and a good one at that. Based on what we’ve seen from the Russian native, though, it’s not likely that he answers the call for the purple and gold. Heck, he may not even be the starter by season’s end–as I predicted last week.

As we saw last season, Mozgov became an afterthought.

Although he started the majority of the Cavaliers’ regular season contests, Mozgov put up uninspiring numbers–6.3 points, 4.4 rebounds and 0.8 blocks per game.

It was his worst showing since becoming a full-time starter in 2013, which likely led to his irrelevance during Cleveland’s Finals run.

Mozgov may be a more reliable option than Roy Hibbert was last year, but that doesn’t mean he’s going to be a star. Fans have already skewered the Lakers for this signing, so Mozgov has a lot to prove when he hits the court this season.

If he doesn’t, you can bet the Lakers faithful will be up in arms next offseason.

Next: A Young Big Man With Serious Upside