“Timofey Mozgov could get a max contract next summer.”

There was a time, as recently as the beginning of this season, when such a statement was said in seriousness. The hulking Russian center acquired by the Cleveland Cavaliers midway through last season was a huge factor in the team’s Finals run, and since owner Dan Gilbert has shown a propensity to open the checkbook in order to keep key players, it didn’t seem lofty to assume the same would happen for Mozgov.

Now, however, such a thought is laughable. Mozgov is in the middle of a lackluster season, and it’s tough to believe anyone would be willing to break the bank for him come free agency this summer. The Cavs reportedly tried to move him leading up to the recent trade deadline, but a deal never materialized.

So, Cleveland heads into the postseason with quite a conundrum down low. The man who helped lock down the post defensively last year has become soft, mercifully taken out of the starting lineup. That said, knowing how crucial depth will be in the playoffs, this issue is hardly solved by just putting Mozgov on the bench.

Unfortunately for the Cavs, there’s no getting around how alarming and detrimental Mozgov’s regression is. The team will need him to provide help off the bench, but right now he’s nothing but a problem.

It’s difficult to pinpoint just what happened between last year’s surprise performance and this year’s steep decline. Many feel Mozgov’s paper-thin confidence is to blame, as the tough love from LeBron James appeared to be too much for him to handle.

Whatever the issue is, it’s done some significant damage.

Last year, Mozgov was a force in the paint, ensuring the layup lines opponents had enjoyed for most of the season were a thing of the past. This year, he’s a pushover, seemingly disposed of with minimal effort.

Last season, he was a surprise contributor on offense, averaging the highest PPG of his career. This year, said average has dropped by over four points. In the 24 combined minutes he played in the past two games, he didn’t even attempt a field goal.

His overall lack of aggression has been apparent on both ends of the court. The effort Mozgov puts forth on defense has been subpar at best. Meanwhile, he’s averaging just over one free-throw attempt per game — proof he’s no longer a physical force Cleveland can rely on offensively.

Sure, swapping him out of the starting lineup in exchange for Tristan Thompson helps alleviate the problem a bit. That said, it certainly doesn’t fix everything.

What are Cavs supposed to do if an opponent is bullying them down low this postseason? Even a potential opening-round matchup with the Detroit Pistons could get dicey. Someone will have to spell Thompson and guard double-double machine Andre Drummond.

Right now, Mozgov looks like he’d be eaten alive if given that task.

Mozgov’s sudden slump was a legit concern earlier in the season, when there was ample time for the problem to be addressed. Now, with just two games remaining before the postseason, it’s an enormous red flag.

The Cavs have enough issues to deal with. Knowing that any time they need to rest Thompson could result in the opposing team getting whatever it wants in the paint will hardly help the cause.

Mozgov was crucial for Cleveland last time the playoffs rolled around. It’s tough to believe that’ll be the case this year, and this is definitely cause for concern.