NBA Rumors: Big Chunk of Denver Nuggets' Future Signs Deal to play in Europe

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Count the Denver Nuggets among the teams crossing their fingers the NBA lockout doesn't drag into the season.

Today it was announced that their young Russian center Timofey Mozgov has signed a deal to play in his native Russia to play for BC Khimki, the team he played with from 2006-2010. The 25-year old center only put up 3.6 points and 2.7 points last season...but is oozing with potential.

He was the guy that held up the Carmelo Anthony trade way back in February. The New York Knicks refused to give him away at first and it took a savvy job by the Nuggets front office to ensure he was included in the deal to come over along with Wilson Chandler, Raymond Felton and Danilo Gallinari.

He is chalk full of potential mainly for one reason—he's 7-1 and 250 pounds.

In limited action with both the Knicks and Nuggets, Mozgov displayed flashes of brilliance. He has a solid jumper and a terrific back-to-the-basket game. He was slow to adjust to life in America and in the NBA—but learned a lot in his first season.

Going into the new season the Nuggets expect him to be a regular in the rotation.This will be be especially true if free agent Nene decides eight years in Denver is long enough and bails to greener pastures. It has been suggested that Mozgov could even be inserted into the starting lineup.

Now they have to wait for this lockout to end as they watch him risk his huge frame on a nightly basis in some cold, dimly lit gym in Russia.

The good news for the Nuggets is that the contract is only binding during the duration of the lockout. As soon as the NBA starts back up again, Mozgov can book the first flight back to the Mile High City.

—Eric Ball

Follow @BigLeague_Eball

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