Report: Cavaliers will re-sign C Ilgauskas

[AleksandarN]

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/wire?section=nba&id=2105774


CLEVELAND - Days after the Cleveland Cavaliers made waves with a marquee free agent signing, Zydrunas Ilgauskas reportedly has elected to remain with the club.

According to a report in Monday's Cleveland Plain Dealer, Ilgauskas will sign a five-year deal worth up to $60 million on July 22, the first day free agents can sign according to the NBA's collective bargaining agreement.

The report comes three days after the Cavaliers agreed to terms with guard Larry Hughes, one of the top prizes on the free agent market after a stellar season with the Washington Wizards.

The 30-year-old Ilgauskas, who has played all seven of his seasons with Cleveland, averaged 16.9 points and 8.6 rebounds in 78 games last season. He led the NBA with 299 offensive rebounds, ranked sixth with 165 blocks and was selected to the Eastern Conference All-Star team for the second time in three years.

After suffering through myriad foot injuries early in his career, the 7-3, 260-pounder has been a constant presence in the middle for the Cavaliers. Ilgauskas has missed just six games over the last three seasons and has increased his minutes in each campaign.

In 413 career games, the Lithuania native has averaged 14.9 points and 7.7 rebounds.

 

[6th]

If I was Z and saw Lebron and Hughes together, I think I'd want to stay as well.

 

[Bibby_Is_Clutch]

All I can say is thank god! Without Z, Lebron and Hughes dont look as good.

 

[Bricklayer]

Don't think this was a particularly good move by Cleveland. Basically, as of right now the only difference between this year's team and last year's team is Hughes. He'll help, but its not nearly enoguh of a patch to make a dramatic move unless LeBron continues his rise to superstardom. And now they pretty much just have caproom scrpas to offer the rest of the FAs. They need another major player of some sort.

 

[Nikos]

What other major player could they really get?

 

[Yoda]

I wander how good Luke Jackson will be if he can stay off the IL

 

[BobbyJ_for3!]

Supposedly Haslem is being courted by LeBron and Co. I dont know if that is major enough to actually be called a major but still. What they need is a tough PG, and they will be good (although they already were, except they bombed the season at the end)

 

[captain bill]

I think Haslem is a good choice for this team, and the Cavs are pursuing him next. He's young and full of upside, and LeBron will keep getting better. And Hughes is no small difference from last year, being one of the best shooting guards in the game. It will take a miracle for the Cavs not to grab the fourth of fifth seed (at least) in the east.

 

[Bricklayer]

If I were them and I nabbed Haslem, I would turn around and a) try to sign a guy like Daniels for the MLE, and b) immediately dangle Gooden (who had some problems there) for a shooter of some sort most likely.

 

[funkykingston]

The Cavs don't have the MLE. A team has to be over the cap in order to have the exceptions at their disposal.

That being said, I hope they have enough cash to nab a PG. I like Watson for their team, and I think he might come cheaper, but either he or Daniels is a piece they could really use.

 

[Bricklayer]

The Cavs don't have the MLE. A team has to be over the cap in order to have the exceptions at their disposal.

That being said, I hope they have enough cash to nab a PG. I like Watson for their team, and I think he might come cheaper, but either he or Daniels is a piece they could really use.

You're right about the MLE -- had forgotten.

But even with their reported $25mil in cap room before the season started, Hughes and Big Z have to eat most of that, and if they are relaly going to offer Haslem 5yrs $33 mil (I think it was), that would just about have to be all the rest of it. And really, if that is it, pretty disappointing haul from my perspective. Like the Hughes move. think Big Z is a waste of money pretty much because he's Ferry's friend -- always got to love nepotism. And Haslem's a hustler, but not a real difference maker. They wil be as much better as LeBron's grorth and Hughes' health and dedication take them, but I guess $25 mil just doesn't but you what it once did. Not a terribly impressive debut from my perspective for Mr. Ferry.

 

[captain bill]

I think he did well with his options were. Having LeBron and cap room means they get the pick of the litter, and that's what they got in Hughes. Haslem is a good find is probably one of the better players they could grab in free agency. Maybe they could have pursued Chandler and moved him to center with Haslem at PF, but that probably isn't very feasible as the Bulls have the cap room (and determination) to match any offer and keep him, so I can't see any better options at center. They also are in position to trade Gooden for help elsewhere, so I really don't think there are any criticisms to be made seriously here. And while I do think Z is grossly overpaid and will eat up far more cap room than he should, what real alternative was there?

 

[Bricklayer]

I think he did well with his options were. Having LeBron and cap room means they get the pick of the litter, and that's what they got in Hughes. Haslem is a good find is probably one of the better players they could grab in free agency. Maybe they could have pursued Chandler and moved him to center with Haslem at PF, but that probably isn't very feasible as the Bulls have the cap room (and determination) to match any offer and keep him, so I can't see any better options at center. They also are in position to trade Gooden for help elsewhere, so I really don't think there are any criticisms to be made seriously here. And while I do think Z is grossly overpaid and will eat up far more cap room than he should, what real alternative was there?

Think I might have rolled the dice on Swift. Or joined the JJohnson sweepstakes to try to cretae the biggest and most talented 1/2/3 combo in the league. Z's a big guy and puts up some big stats, but he's 30 years old, you have to wonder about his durability, and he's just not an impact guy. He was part of the team that began to slide last year, and he's been part of a number of losing teams.

Ignoring the Johnson possibility for the moment (on the assumption the Suns really would match any offer), what about:

1) going after Swift
2) taking extra cap room (because Swift does not cost $12 mil per) and sign Antonio Daniels
3) signing Haslem
4) sign and TRADING Big Z for....what about to NY for Sweetney and Crawford? Just as a quick thought (believe it or not I don't actually have a ready rebuilding plan for the Cavs on hand ). No idea what Isiah's response would be, but he badly wants a center.


That's random thoughts. And I guess for the moment you keep Gooden in that scenario. I'm not a big Crawford fan -- he's an idiot. But anyway:

C -- Swift 26yrs
PF -- Gooden 24yrs
SF -- LeBron 20yrs
OG -- Hughes 26yrs
PG -- Daniels 30yrs

6th -- PG/OG Crawford 25yrs
7th -- PF Sweetney 23yrs
8th -- PG Snow 32yrs


A team designed with a plan -- young, run, run, run (with some slow down bashers off the bench), experience at the PG and a wild scoring 6th man etc, Be something to get excited over, although might need changes in the future to truly contend. But as currenly constructed, Z just does not belong. Maybe they're trying to do the Magic/Kareem, I don't know.

 

[BobbyJ_for3!]

4) sign and TRADING Big Z for....what about to NY for Sweetney and Crawford? Just as a quick thought (believe it or not I don't actually have a ready rebuilding plan for the Cavs on hand ). No idea what Isiah's response would be, but he badly wants a center.


That's random thoughts. And I guess for the moment you keep Gooden in that scenario. I'm not a big Crawford fan -- he's an idiot. But anyway:

C -- Swift 26yrs
PF -- Gooden 24yrs
SF -- LeBron 20yrs
OG -- Hughes 26yrs
PG -- Daniels 30yrs

6th -- PG/OG Crawford 25yrs
7th -- PF Sweetney 23yrs
8th -- PG Snow 32yrs


A team designed with a plan -- young, run, run, run (with some slow down bashers off the bench), experience at the PG and a wild scoring 6th man etc, Be something to get excited over, although might need changes in the future to truly contend. But as currenly constructed, Z just does not belong. Maybe they're trying to do the Magic/Kareem, I don't know.

that looks like a good plan to me, actually. 7 of their top 8 guys under 26, tahts a young team. with lebron and hughes being led by the experienced daniels and snow off the bench, swift and gooden could blossum

and crawford off the bench is just ridiculously good

 

[captain bill]

I like the idea of the Z sign and trade, and Swift could pan out, making that a monstrously good team. I assume Ferry is trying to take the safe road and get some solid players now and hope things work out.

 

[Venom]

The Cavs had a wicked smart approach to free agency until this. They tried to entice Redd and Allen, which was wise, and when that fell through they nabbed Hughes. Chasing Haslem is brilliant. He'll be a great compliment to that backcourt. The Big Z signing hints of desperation to me. It makes me think they are buying into this Lebron leaving hype. I don't think Lebron is going anywhere. NY will not have the cap space within the next 2 years to sign him. I don't see why he would go to LA to play with Kobe, and their cap space is in the air. Chicago, maybe, but their cap space is going to get killed by all the Baby Bulls.

These days, you don't have to be in a big market to pull endorsements. Shoot, Lebron is already the face of the NBA after only two years, in Cleveland, on non-playoff teams. What monetary incentive is there to leave? Cleveland will be able to offer a bigger extension w/ an extra year, so his agent is going to be in his ear to stay. I just don't see him leaving. They're under no pressure to make championship threats now, so why sign Big Z? He's not a difference maker, and needs the ball in his hands to be effective, a trait you do not want on a team w/ James and Hughes. I would have chased Haslem at the 4, and overpaid for Chandler or Delambert at the 5, hoping their teams do not match. Anyway, that's my take on Ferry's first off-season.

 

[SoupIsGood]

If they nab Sarunas and a decent PF they might be pretty scary.

.02

 

[BobbyJ_for3!]

The Cavs had a wicked smart approach to free agency until this. They tried to entice Redd and Allen, which was wise, and when that fell through they nabbed Hughes. Chasing Haslem is brilliant. He'll be a great compliment to that backcourt. The Big Z signing hints of desperation to me. It makes me think they are buying into this Lebron leaving hype. I don't think Lebron is going anywhere. NY will not have the cap space within the next 2 years to sign him. I don't see why he would go to LA to play with Kobe, and their cap space is in the air. Chicago, maybe, but their cap space is going to get killed by all the Baby Bulls.

These days, you don't have to be in a big market to pull endorsements. Shoot, Lebron is already the face of the NBA after only two years, in Cleveland, on non-playoff teams. What monetary incentive is there to leave? Cleveland will be able to offer a bigger extension w/ an extra year, so his agent is going to be in his ear to stay. I just don't see him leaving. They're under no pressure to make championship threats now, so why sign Big Z? He's not a difference maker, and needs the ball in his hands to be effective, a trait you do not want on a team w/ James and Hughes. I would have chased Haslem at the 4, and overpaid for Chandler or Delambert at the 5, hoping their teams do not match. Anyway, that's my take on Ferry's first off-season.

i agree very much with this post. he has done an awesome job, except this move. while ilgauskas is an above average player, and was the cavs before lebron came, he is NOT worht this money. dalembert wouldl have been an awesome choice here.