CAVS’ PLAYERS LOBBYING ILGAUSKAS TO RETURN TO TEAM

Following his contract buyout by the Washington Wizards, Zydrunas Ilgauskas is now an unrestricted free agent.  He can sign with another team immediately, or he can return to his former team—the Cleveland Cavaliers—following a 30 day waiting period.  His former teammates are doing everything they can to convince him to return to Cleveland.

As a well respected and experienced center, Ilgauskas has no shortage of options and has been approached by a number of teams looking to shore up their interior defense for the NBA playoffs including Atlanta and Dallas.  According to his agent, Herb Rudoy, he is currently weighing his options and is ambivalent about a return to the Cavs:

"He's got a big emotional investment in Cleveland, in the city and the team. On the other hand, he was not happy to be used as a pawn in the trade."

Ilgauskas had played in Cleveland for his entire 12 year NBA career before a deadline trade that sent him to the Washington Wizards in exchange for Antawn Jamison.  There was never really any intention of him actually playing in Washington, and after reporting to his new team he returned to Cleveland and began to negotiate his buyout.  The Wizards were happy to facilitate this wanting to free up salary cap space.  As the Cavs’ all time leader in games played and rebounds, Cleveland fans are hoping he returns to the team.

According to Rudoy, there’s no timetable for a decision:

"He'll tell me when he's ready to tell me. I'm waiting to hear from him."

Ilgauskas’ potential value to the team is even greater now that Shaquille O’Neal is out of the lineup with a thumb injury.  He’s been personally ‘lobbied’ by Cavs’ players and staff hoping to influence his decision:

"They told him they want him to come back. [Cavaliers general manager] Danny Ferry flew in the other day and met with him, too."

LeBron James said that his relationship with Ilgauskas goes beyond basketball:

"I talk to Z a lot, not just because he was a teammate of mine. We'll see what happens."

Rudoy said that the Cleveland fans have also reached out to his client:

"They've really reached out to him. He loves the fans of Cleveland and I know how much the Cavaliers mean to him. But again, he was not happy to be a pawn. It was really disappointing."

Cleveland currently has the best record in the NBA and is hoping to make a deep run in the playoffs.  Depending on the severity of O’Neal’s injury, Ilgauskas would be a valuable backup or a dependable replacement.