Center
Starter:Â Timofey Mozgov
Reserves: Anderson Varejao, Sasha Kaun
Odd Man Out: Brendan Haywood
With Mozgov entrenched as the starter at center, Anderson Varejao returns after missing most of last season with a torn Achilles. Varejao remains a good friend of James’ and a big fan favorite, but he could very well be a key trade piece by the time February rolls around. He essentially has an expiring contract as his salaries for the following two seasons are non-guaranteed.
Entering the season, he’ll be considered the team’s fourth big and be depended upon to provide some defense and hustle.
Mozgov returns after a breakthrough series during the Finals. The Russian center was clearly the team’s second-best player during the series, and even scored a career-high 28 points in Game 4. He’ll be the primary backup at center.
The organization has recently been trying to lure another center out of Russia. That would be none other than Sasha Kaun. Kaun will either have to take the minimum salary of $525,000 or some part of the team’s remaining mini mid-level exception.
Either way, expect the 7-foot center to play his first season in the NBA in 2015-16 as the team prepares for him to have a bigger role in the near future.
Haywood has a non-guaranteed contract worth $10.5 million for next season, and he’ll either be traded or outright waived before August 1st when his contract becomes guaranteed.
