Big Z on the Block...

[Seldom Seen]

Zydrunas Ilgauskas: Possible Trade Bait

Zydrunas Ilgauskas: Possible Trade BaitRotoWire.com Staff - RotoWire.com
Thursday, May 25, 2006

Update: According to team insiders, the Cavaliers will explore the possibility of trading Ilgauskas this summer, the Akron Beacon Journal reports.

Recommendation: Before general manager Danny Ferry makes any personnel decisions, he still has to decide a direction for the team and whether Ilgauskas is the right fit for the talent assembled on the roster. The Cavs' offense broke down in the Eastern Conference semifinals against the Pistons, so there are changes expected.

Not sure about salaries but maybe the Cav's are interested in a more offensive-minded scoring center? Now what team would have one of those available to trade?

 

[Mr. S£im Citrus]

Didn't Ilgauskas just sign a four-year contract extension?

 

[thesanityannex]

From Fanball.com

The Cavaliers have started strategizing about what to do with their three picks in the upcoming draft and more importantly, in offseason moves. One of those potential moves involves trading center Zydrunas Ilgauskas, the player with the longest tenure on the Cavs roster. Ilguaskas struggled during the postseason and according to the Akron Beacon Journal, there are some people in the franchise that believe the team played better with Anderson Varejo on the court

 

[West_Gunslinger16]

Nice, I like Ilgauskas! Cavs don't want him anymore, they want to have a shooter to take the HEAVY load off of LBJ. Maybe they'll love Brad! I know Ilgauskas looks bad now but I know he'll fit into our defense and offensive run. Plus I can see him (in my dreams?) and Ron working together. Wow, that will be sweet!

I hope:

Reyes:
Sergei Monia w/ Brad for

Caballeros:
Zydrunas Ilgauskas and Anderson Varejao

Check the Trade Checker for any errors. Varejao and Monia's stats are almost the same but Monia has less minutes than Varejao, so if they both have the same minutes Monia could do more.

 

[Seldom Seen]

One thing that does bother me about Z are his feet. If memory serves he's already had microfracture surgery on one or both of his clod hoppers, and during a season I think he misses more than a little time with foot injuries....not to say that Brad Miller is the epitome of perfect health.

 

[Mr. S£im Citrus]

One thing that does bother me about Z are his feet. If memory serves he's already had microfracture surgery on one or both of his clod hoppers, and during a season I think he misses more than a little time with foot injuries....not to say that Brad Miller is the epitome of perfect health.

You need to pick up a newspaper, mate: Ilgauskas has missed a total of ten games in the last four years.

He *had* problems with his foot, got the surgery, and has been great ever since.

 

[Bricklayer]

Er...random points:

1) if they are looking for points, then the LAST thing they will do is move Z, as he is one of the better offensive centers in the league

2) I never liked the Cavs signign him last summer -- in fact I thought their whole summer was a random collection of mismatched parts. Of course those mismatched parts were all pulled together by one superstar for a nice playoff push, but still.

3) Danny Ferry, the GM, was the guy who went after him hard last year. Has played with him. Really liked him. Still a bit hard to see him do a complete 180 this fast, but we'll see.

4) Z has a post game, and he blocks shots because he's huge, but the funny thing is that his rep is as a bit soft. Not really physical. Not a good rebounder. And despite the shotblocking, not a real intimidator inside. All around center, but his best work is on offense. Is that what we are after here?

5) Signed a large $$ deal in the offseason.

6) Despite the playoff series, trading Z might be a bit problematic for the Cavs, because he is basically their ONLY shotblocking. Varejao is really a blown up PF, Gooden is 6'8", Marshall a 4/3 tweener. And they let Diop go last season to end up playing a major role for the Mavs. So if they lose Z, they have no interior shotblocking. If they do move him, might be looking for an interior defender in return, which of course we do not have to give them. I'm sure they would die to get their hands on Bibby, but obviously that's not a good deal for us.

 

[Venom]

I agree with Bricklayer. It was a bad signing to begin with. Big Z, while skilled, needs the ball in his hands in order to be effective, and that is just not going to happen with a guy like Lebron. I've always felt they needed to build a team around Lebron the same way the Bulls built a team around MJ. It seems they have gotten wise to that a little too late. Hopefully, for their sake, they can find a team to bail them out.

I don't think the Kings should be interested. We have an albatross of a center that we need to move as well.

 

[Bricklayer]

7) I forgot this one -- in the playoffs Z was playing very much the same role for LeBron that Bill Cartwright used to play for Michael in the first three-peat. Come in, absolutely not belong out there with the thoroughbreds, provide a little post offense in the first and third quarters, and then go sit on the bench. I always thought that was a curious routine with Bill -- seemed so token. But I guess it worked (to the tune of 3 titles). Problem for the Cavs is Big Z is still a significant player and unlikely to embrace such a role. Worse yet, he is till being PAID like a major player.

 

[Venom]

7) I forgot this one -- in the playoffs Z was playing very much the same role for LeBron that Bill Cartwright used to play for Michael in the first three-peat. Come in, absolutely not belong out there with the thoroughbreds, provide a little post offense in the first and third quarters, and then go sit on the bench. I always thought that was a curious routine with Bill -- seemed so token. But I guess it worked (to the tune of 3 titles). Problem for the Cavs is Big Z is still a significant player and unlikely to embrace such a role. Worse yet, he is till being PAID like a major player.

Well, now I have to disagree. Bill was a very good positional defender, and physical. He absolutely belonged out there, far more than Luc Longley ever did. Cartwright made particular sense when you consider that Ewing was still in his prime at that time. And Bill never needed the ball to contribute, whereas Big Z does. I think the Cavs should have a player like Cartwright. Unfortunately, it seems the modern day equivalent goes by the name of DeSagana Diop.

 

[VF21]

Nice, I like Ilgauskas! Cavs don't want him anymore, they want to have a shooter to take the HEAVY load off of LBJ. Maybe they'll love Brad! I know Ilgauskas looks bad now but I know he'll fit into our defense and offensive run. Plus I can see him (in my dreams?) and Ron working together. Wow, that will be sweet!

I hope:

Reyes:
Sergei Monia w/ Brad for

Caballeros:
Zydrunas Ilgauskas and Anderson Varejao

Check the Trade Checker for any errors. Varejao and Monia's stats are almost the same but Monia has less minutes than Varejao, so if they both have the same minutes Monia could do more.

You're not serious in thinking the Cavs would do that, are you? Why in the bleep would they trade their rising star, Varejao, for Miller and Sergei?

Once again, that trade only looks good from our end.

 

[West_Gunslinger16]

You're not serious in thinking the Cavs would do that, are you? Why in the bleep would they trade their rising star, Varejao, for Miller and Sergei?

Once again, that trade only looks good from our end.

I was smoking "something" when I typed this, sorry. *cough* *cough*

 

[Hansel]

Ilgauskas? We need defense....

 

[Troy]

You're not serious in thinking the Cavs would do that, are you? Why in the bleep would they trade their rising star, Varejao, for Miller and Sergei?

Once again, that trade only looks good from our end.

That's o.k. with me, now we just have to convince the Cavs that it's good for them. I really like Varejao a lot, but it will be hard to get him from the Cavs as they see good things in him as well and probably a major player in their future.

 

[LPKingsFan]

There's no way we could get Varejao too, but I did propose a Big Z for Brad straight up deal a week or so ago, and in light of recent reports, still see it as a possibility. If they can sign and trade Gooden for a defender, it doesn't look all bad from the Cavs side.

 

[BMiller52]

I'd do it but it doesn't really do much for us. Varejao is good but he doesn't impress me THAT much. It's something I'd do but it doesn't excite me.

 

[VF21]

Why would you do it if it doesn't excite you? A trade should be invigorating; it should open up new horizons. It should make at least one position much better.

I'm not talking about this trade in particular, but why is it people are so anxious to pull the trigger on any trade that seems to pass the trade checker?

And I still maintain that there's NO way the Cavaliers would do this. It just makes no sense. I don't think Brad gives them much of anything they really need.

 

[walker60]

Getting Big Z would be great as would AV, but do you think we could get both? Maybe getting Gooden instead of AV is more plausible in a S & T? I think they really like AV.

Also, what they need is a point guard which is something we definitley do not have a surplus of. Maybe Big Z (shotblocker) and Gooden (rebounder) for Miller, Thomas or Rahim, and Garcia? Idk just throwing that out there....maybe a different combination of players from either team would get the job done.

I think the Cavs might like Miller tho. He can hit jumpers and spread the floor a little for Lebron. Also, he could dish it off and find Larry Hughes and Lebron for some easy buckets. Teaming him with AV also might be able to hide some of his shortcomings on defense as well. But idk, I'm basically just thinking out loud right now. lol

 

[LPKingsFan]

I think the Cavs might like Miller tho. He can hit jumpers and spread the floor a little for Lebron. Also, he could dish it off and find Larry Hughes and Lebron for some easy buckets. Teaming him with AV also might be able to hide some of his shortcomings on defense as well. But idk, I'm basically just thinking out loud right now. lol

I was thinking the same thing, so don't feel too bad

 

[wow22]

I cant imagine the Kings being improved with Z over Brad...

 

[atxrocker]

big z performed alot like brad in this last playoff series, a total nonfactor. i would still do it though.

 

[BMiller52]

Why would you do it if it doesn't excite you? A trade should be invigorating; it should open up new horizons. It should make at least one position much better.

I'm not talking about this trade in particular, but why is it people are so anxious to pull the trigger on any trade that seems to pass the trade checker?

And I still maintain that there's NO way the Cavaliers would do this. It just makes no sense. I don't think Brad gives them much of anything they really need.

Like I think it's more than fair value but I still don't really like it. It would probably make our transition D even worse since Z is slower than Brad. Our interior D would be better but if Brad can regain some of that D he played in 03-04 with a new coach(and I dunno if he can or can't, just saying it's a possibility IMO) than it doesn't really make us better anyway. I'm not a big fan of Varejao even though he's probably 28942893288932 times better than Monia either.

 

[tubiscus]

I don't see Z as any improvement over Brad at all. In fact, I think we lose in that trade.
I too was frustrated by Brad's erratic play this year, and his total disappearance against the Spurs, but I'm not ready to give him away for a lesser player.
The "Brad had a crappy playoffs, Let's trade him frenzy" leaves the obvious question. Who can you get who will be better? Z is not the answer. I'd rather keep Brad and try to pick up a younger defensive big like Bynum or Pryzbilla as a reserve.

 

[Troy]

And I still maintain that there's NO way the Cavaliers would do this. It just makes no sense. I don't think Brad gives them much of anything they really need.

He gives us not much of what we really need either.

 

[SacTownKid]

A non-factor?! I though Z had a really good series, not on offense but his interior defense was unreal, he also got a lot of putbacks and second shot opprotunities. Don't know if I would give up Brad for him though. That would be a tough call.

 

[Kev.in]

Big Z is just too incredibly slow for my tastes. I want a center who has the legs to contest shots and get rebounds. Big Z is an adequate scorer but these days you need a center who is either a major scoring threat or who can contribute in a number of ways without the ball. To me, Z doesn't fit in either category. I wouldn't be surprised if the Cavs try their best and don't find many takers for Zydrunas.

 

[Rome]

Big Z is ok but he just like Miller relies on that 15 ft jump. But he can rebound and play good defense so he's on my list.

 

[walker60]

Big Z is better than Brad Miller. Big Z has a post game, Brad does not. Big Z is a good post defender because he's so tall and has long arms, while Brad Miller is not a good post defender. Big Z, with his height and long arms, is a decent help defender even though he is slow. Brad Miller is not a good help defender. Big Z is a little bit better rebounder too.

Brad has a better jump shot, has more range, and is a better passer, but Big Z is no slouch in those areas either. I really don't see how Brad could be the better player in my opinion. If the Cavs really want to trade him, I doubt they'll have any problems finding a taker.

 

[West_Gunslinger16]

How can you guys say there's no difference between Miller and Z? Z can definitely hit 15 ft shot which Miller can't during the playoffs. And Z definitely has better defense than Brad. Both are slow but I think Z is better in everything compared to Miller (except making 3s, mid-range jumper and passing).

Miller being slow = Always getting blocked by Nazr and Nesterovic while doing a layup.

Z being slow = cannot be blocked.


Z's abilities:
Hook shots, short range jumpers, blocks, inside stopper, good rebounder, good basketball IQ.

Miller's abilities:
Mid-range jumper (playoffs not included ), good passer, 3-point shooter (playoffs not included), good basketball IQ.

How do I know Z? I watch Cavs ball whenever they are on, duh!

 

[Rome]

if we can get big z for Brad than im all for it.