Fansided

Top 10 players setting themselves up to be overpaid

By Robert Judin

Mar 25, 2015; Memphis, TN, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers center Timofey Mozgov (20) reches for a loose ball during the first ahlf against the Memphis Grizzlies at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 25, 2015; Memphis, TN, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers center Timofey Mozgov (20) reches for a loose ball during the first ahlf against the Memphis Grizzlies at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 27, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Mo Williams (52) drives around a pick set by center Timofey Mozgov (20) with Chicago Bulls guard Derrick Rose (1) in pursuit during the first half at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 27, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Mo Williams (52) drives around a pick set by center Timofey Mozgov (20) with Chicago Bulls guard Derrick Rose (1) in pursuit during the first half at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports /

8. Timofey Mozgov

He’s come a long way since he was just another piece of a complicated puzzle the New York Knicks assembled to acquire Carmelo Anthony.

Timofey Mozgov is one of the best centers in the NBA, and that’s why he’s going to get a huge payday.

He went from being a 7-foot-1 statue for the Knicks to a legitimate last line of defense for the Cleveland Cavaliers. Mozgov has seen his blocks maintain a steady pace. In his first seven seasons, he averaged one block per game.

Mozgov proved to be a valuable pickup for the Denver Nuggets when he was included in a deal that also involved Wilson Chandler, Danilo Gallinari, Raymond Felton and pretty much every draft pick the Knicks had. 

But the Cavaliers needed interior defense last season after Anderson Varejao went down with an injury, and Mozgov established himself as one of the best defensive big men in the league. He helped the Cavaliers reach the 2015 NBA Finals, but they were knocked off by the Golden State Warriors.

Mozgov is making just less than $5 million this season and will hit free agency when it ends. The lack of prominent big men in a league dominated by guards is the reason why Mozgov is in line to get a big paycheck.

Every other team saw how he boosted the Cavaliers’ defense, and that could skyrocket the demand for the free agent big man to be. With Kevin Love and Tristan Thompson already signed to big-money deals, it will be interesting to see if the Cavaliers find it necessary to add Mozgov to that list.

Next: 7. Tim Hardaway Jr

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