Lakers sign Russian center Mozgov

Russian centre Timofey Mozgov, who played for the NBA champion Cleveland Cavaliers last season, was signed by the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday to help beef up one of the worst defences in the league.

Though terms of the deal were not disclosed by the team, local media estimate Mozgov's contract to be worth $US64 million ($A85.54 million) over four years.

"Timofey is a player who has shown the ability to change the game at the defensive end, and fills an area of need for us at the centre position," Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak said in a statement. "We are very pleased to add him to our team."

The seven-foot one-inch (2.16 metres) Mozgov, who will celebrate his 30th birthday on July 16, averaged 6.3 points and 4.4 rebounds for Cleveland last season in a support role.

In six NBA seasons with the Cavaliers, the Denver Nuggets and New York Knicks, the Russian has averaged 6.9 points and 5.0 rebounds with a career field goal percentage of 53.7.

The struggling Lakers finished the 2015/16 season at the bottom of the Western Conference standings with a 17-65 record, the worst in franchise history.