Heat have interest in Zydrunas Ilgauskas

Jul 11, 2010, 2:48 PM EDT

This should make Cavs happy. Did I say happy? I meant, “feel like they were kicked in the back of the head after getting hit in the groin with a tire iron.”

Mike Wallace of the Miami Herald reports that Zydrunas Ilgauskas is “looking into the option” of joining LeBron James, a close personal friend, in Miami for the veteran minimum. Ilgauskas, the Cavs’ main man before James arrived in 2003, helped integrate LeBron to the league and has been on his team ever since.

Ilgauskas was dismayed last season when first his record-breaking appearance as a Cav night was postponed thanks to Mike Brown electing to DNP-CD him, despite the presence of many Z friends and family that had been brought in for the game. Things couldn’t have gotten better when Z was shipped to Washington for Antawn Jamison. Z was bought out from the Wizards and returned to the Cavs to try and help them win a championship, which obviously did not happen.

There was a lot of talk that James was the biggest proponent of bringing Z back, even though it was the need to put superstar talent around James that necessitated the trade in the first place. So really, it may end up being that LeBron James’ decision to leave Cleveland could cost Cavs fans two life-long Cavaliers.

For the Heat, Z is a perfect fit. Seven feet tall, a veteran, still able to rebound and hit a few jump shots, and knows how to work with LeBron. He fits literally every single one of their needs at center. And he’s a much better option than Juwan Howard, who they’re also considering. This could wind up as a huge move for the Heat.

That should make Cavs fans feel better about it. Did I say better? I meant…

Skip to Comments (9)

« Newer Michael Redd may be out until February '11

Older » Dorell Wright leaving Miami for Golden State

Back to Homepage

9 Comments (Feed for Comments)

Salty - Jul 11, 2010 at 3:15 PM

There is something wrong in the NBA to allow one team to strip all the players from another team.Where is David Stearn.

Log in to Reply
James - Jul 11, 2010 at 3:22 PM

What is David Stern going to do? Tell him where he can and can’t play?

Log in to Reply
Cordae - Jul 11, 2010 at 5:15 PM

LOL exactly….
he can go as he pleases, they gave him a s**tty contract that only lasted til the end of the season. Thats why they’re FREE agents smh

Log in to Reply
hnirobert - Jul 11, 2010 at 5:34 PM

Really Salty? He’s a free agent. It’s not like the Heat pulled a John Calipari and purged Memphis’ recruiting class and brought them to Kentucky after he switched, or how Lane Kiffin tried to do when he went to USC.

Log in to Reply
bobbymac - Jul 11, 2010 at 5:37 PM

why was there only one team that cleared cap space for all three? because this was set up by the heat owner, riley and wade a couple of years ago the nba has become the wwf

Log in to Reply
James - Jul 11, 2010 at 5:51 PM

I might be wrong on this, but Chicago actually had more cap room than anyone, but i bet they weren’t willing to get rid of young talent (and i don’t blame them) like the heat did with Michael Beasley to let them do it. But to another point on teams stripping other teams of talent to win a title, Lakers come to mind. Karl Malone, Gary Payton, even Ron Artest. I don’t blame the Lakers, i’m just saying that this isn’t the first time a team has gotten players to take less for a chance at a championship.

Log in to Reply
hnirobert - Jul 11, 2010 at 7:47 PM

The Bulls gave up Heinrich and tried to trade Deng but nobody wanted that contract. I liked Beasley, he had some good spots during his 2 years here, but for them to get James they need to get rid of him since they play the same position and his salary was an issue in signing all three. I guarantee you, the Bulls would’ve traded anyone on their roster (excluding Rose, who’s going to be stud) if it meant getting James (or Wade).

Log in to Reply
JD - Jul 11, 2010 at 10:13 PM

Lebron, as payback to Gilbert’s racist (see Rev Jackson’s good comments comparing Gilbert’s relationship to slavemaster vs slave) comments, you should take half the Cavs roster and make them play for the Heat..no way in hell is Cleveland winning a championship before the Heat ever does

Log in to Reply
egib - Jul 12, 2010 at 8:45 AM

Get off of the whole racist thing! Shouldn’t be surprised that Jackson jumped on that wagon though. This is about how James left Cleveland/Ohio, who’s fans have supported him since middle school. James should have “manned up” and told Gilbert he didn’t want to re-join in stead of avoiding his calls & texts all summer long when he knew his decision was made up months ago.

Log in to Reply