We feel you, Lakers fans.
You’re used to signing Shaq as a free agent. Convincing Karl Malone and Gary Payton to take less to come be on a “Dream Team.” That’s the bar you’re used to when you’re a supporter of the Purple & Gold. So when free agency opens up and there’s names like Al Horford and Hassan Whiteside flying about, and the best you can do is secure a deal with Timofey Mozgov for $64 million, we understand the frustration.
Lakers fans learning that Mozgov is their team's top free agent target pic.twitter.com/74mZEsuyeg
— gifdsports (@gifdsports) July 1, 2016
It’s a disappointment. It’s a bummer. It’s a sad slap in the face about how far the franchise is fallen. It sucks having everyone laugh at you.
And while $64 million over four years for Mozgov no doubt seems like an overpay, at least he is a guy who can play. He can clog the middle. He can block some shots. He can get around 10 points a game and 7 rebounds if he’s playing decent minutes. It’s not like he’s a bad player; he was just with the Cavs where he didn’t get many minutes.
Take this as a sign of embarrassment. Call it an overpay. Be angry all you want. But when you’re down at the bottom, you have to take what you can get and rebuild one piece at a time. This is just one of those pieces.
