Cavaliers pick up Timofey Mozgov’s team option

The Cavaliers have a summer of spending ahead of them.

LeBron James, Kevin Love, Tristan Thompson, J.R. Smith and Iman Shumpert are each in line for sizable contracts.

Timofey Mozgov, who has a $4.95 million team option, is one of Cleveland’s few chances to lock up a player for less than market value.

Eric Pincus of Basketball Insiders:

The Cleveland Cavaliers have opted to keep Timofey Mozgov for the final year of his contract @BBallInsiders – was an easy decision

— Eric Pincus (@EricPincus) June 23, 2015

This was an obvious move, because Mozgov is a solid starting center, and starting centers typically get eight digits.

But it’s not difficult to see the Cavaliers’ payroll – counting player salaries and luxury tax – eclipsing $250 million next season if they bring everyone back and trade Brendan Haywood’s contract. Removing Mozgov, because of the progressive luxury tax, could save Cleveland more than $30 million.

If the Cavaliers are going to try saving money, they’ll do it somewhere else.