Cavaliers 116, Nuggets 118 (OT): Costly Mistakes End Win Streak
February 19, 2010Grading the Cavaliers: Anderson Varejao
February 19, 2010
It isn’t quite as bad as when the Indians replaced banners of Victor Martinez with those of Slider, but the Cavaliers have removed the images of Zydrunas Ilgauskas from the halls of Quicken Loans Arena. A guy that general manager Danny Ferry referred to as “world class,” Ilgauskas was used in the trade that brought Antawn Jamison to Cleveland. And while many anticipate that the man known as “Big Z” will return after a buyout, it may not be as cut and dry.
During yesterday’s press conference, Ferry appeared to be fighting back tears when discussing what it meant to have to trade Ilgauskas.
“In order to add quality players, tough decisions have to be made,” said Ferry. “We wish [Zydrunas] and his family nothing but the best.”
Sure, Ferry could have just been saying the all the right things. After all, Ilgauskas is property of the Washington Wizards now. Though he had not reported to Washington as of yesterday evening, the league is very strict when it comes to tampering and any indication of an under-the-table agreement would not be thought of very highly.
But what the Cavaliers have with Ilgauskas is a guy that has only played in Cleveland – it’s all he knows. He has been through the tough times and has been able to embrace the good. Cleveland is his home, it is where his wife Jennifer and recently adopted Lithuanian sons reside. It is the place that landed him his own puppet in a Nike campaign. But it is also the place that used him as a trade chip in a deal that is widely considered a positive for the Cavaliers.
In an interview late Thursday, Herb Rudoy (Ilgauskas’ agent since he was a teenager) said that what team his client lands on will be up to Ilgauskas.
“Money will not be the main issue,” said Rudoy.
But things that will be considered include playing time, the potential for a championship as well as the possibility of playing beyond this year.
Assuming a buy-out from his current team, Ilgauskas could field offers from any team but the Cavaliers for a 30-day window. If he remains “retired” for 30 days, he could then return to Cleveland as another member of the wine and gold as the team looks to hoist hardware this summer.
The main hurdle that the Cavaliers could be looking at, aside from Ilgauskas not being bought out by the Wizards – a team that is now under the luxury tax – is the fact that the veteran center is looking to play at least one more season. If he does play beyond 2010, it will not be able to be on the Cavaliers as currently constructed if Ilgauskas is looking for a payday anywhere near his current salary.
Owning Ilgauskas’ “Bird Rights” prior to the trade, the Cavaliers would no longer have the ability to go over the salary cap to sign him beyond this season. A players “Bird” clock resets when added as a free agent, which is what Ilgauskas would become if/when bought out by Washington. It is widely considered that the Cavaliers would look to add a younger piece in the upcoming offseason, and Ilguaskas would have to take a considerable paycut if he wanted to stay in Cleveland beyond this year as the bi-annual exception (the only available resource at this time) would pay him approximately $2 million next season. While Rudoy says it is not all about money, there is no doubt that this will play a role in Ilgauskas’ decision.
Ferry characterized his last conversation with Ilgauskas as professional, yet emotional. A guy who assistant general manager Lance Blanks has called one of the top two professionals in the game of basketball, Ilgauskas was not only a player, but also a friend. While he is considered to be a guy that is willing to do what it takes to win, he was also the guy that was rumored to have been very upset – and vocal – about not playing in the game that would have broken the record for most games played as a Cavalier. Some have said that this incident showed a side of Ilgauskas that was not thought to exist.
A 30-day window will seem like an eternity to the Cavaliers as well as the fans. The first step to the process will be Rudoy orchestrating a buyout for his client. The rest will be up to Ilgauskas himself as to where he will finish the 2010 season.
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(Image courtesy of WKNR’s The Really Big Show)
63 Comments
If we dont get Z back, who is our backup C? Emotions aside, we need him back. The master of the tip drill, and the man who helps keep Shaq aggressive was sorely missed last night, and will be needed for us to make a playoff run. We need ALL of our pieces to be healthy.
Can’t believe I’m posting again on the Z thing and won’t repeat obvious reasons he’ll come back, but after viewing many of these comments a little perspective is in order.
Danny has a right to be a little emotional. They played together, were friends on a team, have been friends for years. But friends is friends, business is business. I didn’t notice that Z gave Danny a hometown discount on his current huge deal when Danny stopped him at the airport from going on vacation without a deal 5 years ago. That contract was certainly generous for Z at that market rate. He gets paid handsomely to be in this business (incl. a $6ooK trade kicker in his contract). Danny’s marching orders from his boss is to get his boss and me, Harv 21, a trophy by any means necessary. Z seems nice. Jamison seems nice. I seem nice. It’s nice to be nice to the nice. Enough now. Z has been a good employee. The Cavs have been a good employer. Now, if Z really wants his best chance at a ring (and to stay married), he’ll be back. And I will think that’s just great, and cheer mightily for him. If he instead goes to the highest bidder that’s his right as a basketball mercenary. He’s a professional in a business he chose. He gets paid. He doesn’t “deserve” anything. I’m unpaid, and if anyone “deserves a ring it’s me, as compensation for untold thousands of hours supporting a generally crappy product since Walt Wesley roamed the hardwood and agonizing up through last night as LeBron forgets his teammates and jacks up yet another three to try and one-up his buddy on national television. This is about me, folks. Ok, and maybe you. It was a great trade, involving a bunch of great guys. Lets move on.
@51 Shaq’s backup is Varejao the Cavaliers go small with Jamison/Hickson/Powe playing the PF not a big deal if you ask me but Z back would be nice.
One quick point I read alot elsewhere and it may have been mentioned here but based on watching last night and the season in whole, there will be plenty of shots and opportunities for Antawn Jamison to produce so that’s another reason I was in favor of his addition. I know this is off-topic but wanted to mention it.
Mike Fratello reads this blog.
people pay attention to the Cavs for different reasons
anyone can “move on” without asking permission
anyone can feel their Z pain a little longer without a moveon.org thingy
@55/Matt#2: of course, you’re right,busy at work and writing too quickly and did not intend the imperative form. I’m asking. Nicely.Consider a lttle wider persective of the players and purposes, kind sirs.(Drops to floor, kisses shoes)
Perhaps Cleveland fans love Z so much because he reminds us of who we really were/are?
I WANT Z BACK! 🙁
Harv
you forgot the cherry on top
this site shows that many cleveland fans:
1) cannot appreciate anything. we just signed a stud to take care of our biggest weakeness.
2) panic. i’ve been saying since the browns’ season that there’s way too much in c-town. dude is getting waived and he’s not signing elsewhere. this was 100% established behind some closed door with him prior to the trade. BOOK IT!
but also that
3) cleveland fans have huge hearts. This display of love for Z is great – and well deserved.
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