ILGAUSKAS SECURES BUYOUT FROM WIZARDS: NEXT STOP CLEVELAND?

Zydrunas Ilgauskas was dealt by Cleveland to Washington on February 17 as part of the trade that sent Wizards’ forward Antawn Jamison to the Cavaliers.  At the time, Cavs’ management praised Ilgauskas and insisted that his number would be retired once his playing days were over.  Following a buyout from his new team, there’s a good chance he’ll be needing that number.  Every indication is that he’ll return to Cleveland following the NBA’s mandated 30 day waiting period for re-signing free agents in season.

Ilgauskas had been paid up front by the Cavs for this season, so he had to write a check for $1.5 million to the Wizards to secure his buyout.  There was never really any doubt that a buyout would transpire—after the trade he reported to his new team, took a physical and immediately returned to Cleveland to begin the negotiation process.  Wizards’ president Ernie Grunfield had this statement:

“We agreed to terms with Zydrunas on a contract buyout, giving us further financial flexibility and allowing our young big men to continue to develop over the remainder of the season."

Ilgauskas is now a free agent and able to sign with any team for a prorated share of the veteran’s minimum contract.  He could return to action with another team immediately, but under NBA rules must wait 30 days to return to the Cavs.  His agent Herb Rudoy suggested that he’ll weigh his options:

"I'm expecting to talk to about half a dozen teams in the league -- including the Cavaliers. He's not going to rush into anything. He has time. He'll let me know what he wants to do. He definitely has some options to think about and one will definitely be the Mavs."

Although Ilgauskas lost his starting job to Shaquille O’Neal this year, he’s got a long history with the Cavaliers’ franchise and would be a valuable backup during what is hoped to be a championship contending playoff run.  Prior to the trade, Ilgauskas had played his entire 12 year career in a Cavs’ uniform.

NBA rules prohibit a player returning to his old team in a situation like this only if there is evidence that an arrangement has been made in advance to facilitate it.  An NBA official confirmed to the AP that in Ilgauskas’s case the league had no issue with him returning to Cleveland following the mandated 30 day waiting period.