Cavaliers land Mozgov; LeBron to return soon

Associated Press

CLEVELAND

The Cleveland Cavaliers have found their “real, true center.”

Desperate for a rim-protecting big man, the Cavs acquired center Timofey Mozgov from the Denver Nuggets on Wednesday night for two first-round draft picks.

The Cavs announced their second major trade in three days during the first half of their game against the Houston Rockets. Cleveland, which has underachieved while enduring a rash of injuries, sent two protected 2015 first-round picks — one acquired in 2013 from Memphis, the other from Oklahoma City this week — to Denver for the 7-foot-1 Mozgov and a 2015 second-round pick.

Mozgov averaged 8.5 points and 7.8 rebounds in 35 games this season for the Nuggets. The Cavs feel he can fill the large hole they had in the middle after starting center Anderson Varejao was lost for the season with a torn Achilles.

Cavs general manager David Griffin had targeted Mozgov for months and was finally able to land him — at a steep price.

“His numbers don’t have to be flashy,” Griffin said at halftime. “We’ve got three players who are flashy. We need guys to do the dirt work.”

Mozgov played for Cavs coach David Blatt on the Russian national team. The trade for Mozgov was Cleveland’s second significant move this week and came as the team played without superstar LeBron James, sidelined for the past six games with a strained back and knee.

On Monday, the Cavs dealt guard Dion Waiters to the Thunder and acquired guards J.R. Smith and Iman Shumpert from the Knicks.

LEBRON ON TRACK TO RETURN

One week into getting treatment on a strained back and knee, James said his body is responding well to the rest and rehab and he expects to return soon.

James said the injuries have bothered him throughout his first season back in Cleveland and he finally relented and decided to get rest.

“I’ve had spurts where one or two games I felt good and after that I was just pushing through it,” he said. “I’ve been a competitive guy and want to be out there for my teammates. I feel better right now than I’ve felt for the majority of the season.”

James said it was difficult to step away and not play.

“I finally just listened to my body ultimately,” he said.

James intends to travel with the Cavaliers on their five-game West Coast trip. The Cavs initially targeted Jan. 15 as James’ return date, and he appears to be on track.