Timofey Mozgov says he misses playing for Cavaliers, “everything was special”

Timofey Mozgov saw his role shrink in Cleveland last season, but he was still there in the end when they won a championship ring. He may have wanted to stay, but when the Lakers came calling with a four-year, $64 million offer that nobody else was going to match, well, what did you expect him to do?

That doesn’t mean it’s not a shock to go from contender to team on pace to win 29 games (and give its high lottery pick to the Sixers, but that’s another story). Mozgov admitted he missed playing for the Cavaliers to 60smol.com (via Eurohoops.net).

“To be honest I miss that place,” said the Russian big guy. When asked what made it so special, he added, “Everything was special.”

As for the current Lakers, Mozgov said.

“So far we got some tough losses. But I think we’ll soon play the same as played in the beginning of the season. Be together and enjoy the game. We’ll be good.”

It will be interesting to see what the future holds for Mozgov. Part of the reason the Lakers offered him such a massive contract, beyond providing a big presence in the paint this season, is as a trade chip for the future. The Lakers have their young core for the future, but they will need the right pieces to go around them, and Mitch Kupchak/Jim Buss brought in some trade chips to give them options. The Lakers aren’t expected to make a move at this trade deadline, but in a year or so, who knows.