The Brooklyn Nets are expected to start Timofey Mozgov at center in the 2017-18 NBA season. Mozgov is one of Brooklyn's most significant acquisitions this offseason. The Nets sent longtime franchise star Brook Lopez to the Los Angeles Lakers to add him together with D'Angelo Russell last June. Despite being a projected starter, Mozgov still has to fight for playing minutes, especially now that a new big man is coming to town.
According to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN, the Nets agreed to a two-year deal with Tyler Zeller. The first year of the contract is guaranteed, Wojnarowski added.
Zeller entered the league as the 17th overall pick by the Dallas Mavericks in the 2012 draft. The Mavericks traded him immediately to the Cleveland Cavaliers. After two seasons, the Cavs sent him to the Boston Celtics. The 27-year-old product of North Carolina spent the past three seasons playing for the C's.
Competition with Mozgov
As mentioned, Mozgov will likely secure the starting job at the No. 5 position for the Nets. However, Zeller may challenge him for it as the season rolls. Mozgov had better numbers in the previous season, though his career stats are almost similar to Zeller's. They are both averaging 7.0 points per game in their careers, though Mozgov has a slight edge in rebounding.
If Zeller can record the same numbers he had during his first season (2014-15) with the Celtics, he has a legitimate chance of taking the starting role from Mozgov. In that year, he was putting up career-bests 10.2 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 1.4 assists per outing. Joining Mozgov and Zeller at the center is rookie Jarrett Allen, who was the 22nd pick in this year's draft.
Forgotten Jared Sullinger
Before the Nets reached a deal with Zeller, they were eyeing another free agent center in Jared Sullinger. Zeller and Sullinger were teammates in Boston. Sullinger was with the Toronto Raptors last season but had an unproductive stint. A few weeks ago, his agent revealed that he is open to playing for Brooklyn.
There was even a photo on social media of him working out with Russell while rocking Nets gear. It appears that nothing happened between his side and the team.
Now, Sullinger is continuing his playing career overseas. The 25-year-old reportedly signed a short-term pact with the Shenzhen Leopards of the Chinese Basketball Association. The contract is for two months and is going to earn him $300,000.
