Report: Lakers shut down Mozgov to free up time for younger players

The 25 minutes of action center Timofey Mozgov has totaled for the Los Angeles Lakers in two appearances over the team's last 13 games may be his last for the 2016-17 regular season.

The 30-year-old 7-footer has reportedly been shut down - despite having a clean bill of health - for the remainder of the campaign, with the Lakers looking to evaluate some of their younger talent over the remaining 15 games, according to The Undefeated's Marc J. Spears.

Mozgov is in the first year of a four-year, $64-million contract he signed last summer with the organization. This came after a two-year stint playing with the Cleveland Cavaliers, where he won an NBA championship in 2016.

Los Angeles currently owes the Philadelphia 76ers their 2017 first-round draft pick, although it's top-three protected, providing more of an incentive to lose games and retain it to help with the roster's ongoing rebuild.

Rookie Ivica Zubac has gotten the start at the five-spot the past two games, with Julius Randle even seeing some time at center in smaller lineups. Mozgov's last start came Feb. 3 when he scored four points and grabbed six rebounds in 15 minutes in a six-point loss to the Boston Celtics.

In 54 games, Mozgov has averaged 7.4 points on 51.5 percent shooting, 4.9 rebounds, and 0.6 blocks for the 20-47 Lakers, who sit dead last in the Western Conference.