Ilgauska to the Mavs, Maybe? - Dallas-Mavs.com Forums

xavier · 02-25-2010, 04:06 PM

Ilgauskas put on waivers by Wizards:

By Jeff Caplan
ESPNDallas.com
Archive

Bought out by the Washington Wizards on Thursday, center Zydrunas Ilgauskas will consider the Dallas Mavericks as a possible destination, his agent said.

"He definitely has some options to think about and one will definitely be the Mavs," Ilgauskas' agent, Herb Rudoy, said.

The 7-foot-3 Lithuanian is on waivers and must wait 48 hours before he can sign with another team, although Rudoy can open conversations with other clubs. The overwhelming belief around the league is that Ilgauskas will wait the mandatory 30-day period per NBA rules, then re-sign with the Cleveland Cavaliers, where he played his entire 12-year career before being packaged in a deal to Washington for forward Antawn Jamison.

Dallas has an obvious interest with center Erick Dampier sidelined indefinitely with a dislocated right middle finger. Dampier said before Wednesday night's game that there is no timetable yet for his return.

Denver and Atlanta reportedly also have interest in signing Ilgauskas and both can potentially offer a bigger role because the Mavs will eventually get Dampier back.

"It's a long shot," Mavs president of basketball operations Donnie Nelson said. "He's going to take his time."

Ilgauskas is familiar with Nelson through Nelson's association with the Lithuanian national team.

Ilgauskas was averaging 7.5 points and 5.3 rebounds this season for the Cavaliers, numbers well below his career marks because of his reduced playing time behind Shaquille O'Neal.

Ilgauskas would provide the Mavs depth behind newly acquired center Brendan Haywood. Currently, the Mavericks do not have a true center to back him up. Their tallest reserve is 6-8 veteran forward Eduardo Najera.

"He has a lot invested in the Cavaliers, that's the dilemma as to what he's going to do," Rudoy said of Ilgauskas. "But he's in no rush."

Because Ilgauskas was waived before March 1, he will be eligible for the playoffs no matter when he signs.

Jeff Caplan covers the Mavericks for ESPN Dallas. You can follow him on Twitter or leave a question for his weekly mailbag.

bobbyfg7 · 02-25-2010, 04:09 PM

I would say "it's a long shot" just about sums it up. Don't bet on it but if it happens, great.

badfish22 · 02-25-2010, 04:11 PM

Hes just pretending he has other options so it doesnt look as sketchy when he goes back to CLE

Dirkenstien · 02-25-2010, 04:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by badfish22

Hes just pretending he has other options so it doesnt look as sketchy when he goes back to CLE

This.

It makes no sense whatsoever for him to go anywhere else.

dalmations202 · 02-25-2010, 04:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dirkenstien

This.

It makes no sense whatsoever for him to go anywhere else.

It does if his agent can work out a longer term deal in the mean time.

Does Cle resign Big Z long term, if he goes back?

Don't get me wrong, I think there is a 90+% chance that he goes back to CLE, but there is at least a chance he doesn't.

It is kind of like LBJ or DWade moving. Not likely, but a chance.

I doubt Dallas is the place though, because I think Haywood stands a better shot at the long term deal. Unless Big Z just wants to stick it to Cle because someone PO'd him -- he is going back to Cle.

kg_veteran · 02-25-2010, 04:34 PM

Yeah, this is the whole "nothing to see here" routine the NBA puts on when a verbal collusion occurs. If you put it in writing, well your name might be Glenn Taylor. Otherwise, let's just pretend that nothing happened.

Mavsfan4ever · 02-25-2010, 04:48 PM

He is returning to Cleveland bank on it.

GermanDunk · 02-25-2010, 04:54 PM

Does it make any sense to sign another Center(player). I don´t think so.

dirno2000 · 02-25-2010, 05:08 PM

Even if he doesn't go back Cleveland this doesn't seem like the best situation he could find with Damp expected back eventually.

CATCH-17 · 02-25-2010, 05:15 PM

I would try to sign him up.

Quality big men like him just dont become free agents like this everyday.

Go get him and sign him for a few years because I doubt Damp will return next year anyways.

Dirkadirkastan · 02-25-2010, 05:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dalmations202

Don't get me wrong, I think there is a 90+% chance that he goes back to CLE, but there is at least a chance he doesn't.

Which raises the question... If he does go back to Cleveland, does that guarantee that his return was a guarantee?

dalmations202 · 02-25-2010, 05:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dirkadirkastan

Which raises the question... If he does go back to Cleveland, does that guarantee that his return was a guarantee?

Nope, there is no Guarantee that you won't win the Megamillion lottery with the next ticket you purchase -- but I still think 9-1 odds say you won't.

Dirkadirkastan · 02-25-2010, 05:47 PM

Yeah, but everyone else is going to act like it.

92bDad · 02-25-2010, 05:51 PM

As most have stated, most likely he goes back to CLE.

But as it stands, he IS available and it's clear the Mavs have an immediate need for a Center to help Haywood and Damp.

For that matter, even when Damp is back...there is value in having a 3rd Quality Center on the team...heck that's more fouls for the really Physical games and a bit of insurance going into next year.

Cuban and company are creative and with the recent run the Mavs are on...no doubt Z would have to be somewhat interested.

He would basically have CLE interested is top contending team in the East, and the Mavs as one of the top contending teams in the West. That and as was stated, some ties to Donnie from the international scene.

For Dallas it makes sense...who would you want spelling time at Center, Z or Najera?

It would allow Najera to fill another bench roll, perhaps a bit of Utility guy who can move to different spots between PF,SF and SG depending on the need of the moment in the game.

For Zo...obviously his 1st interest would be back to CLE...but hey, could he get Dallas to bite and offer his some serious cash, while also having an opportunity to still compete for a title.

Unless there is some unwritten agreement, I believe the Mavs should take a hard look and make a hard push to persuade Zo to come to Dallas.

No doubt it would make Dallas better, and hey on the nights that Damp is struggling, you could sit him and rotate Haywood and Zo...

Good gosh, the Mavs have struggled for a Center for their entire existence and now, they could have an embarrassment of riches, should they acquire him.

Dirkenstien · 02-25-2010, 05:57 PM

He's been with Cleveland for 12 years and now has an opportunity to come back and help the franchise that has stuck with him throughout his career, including all of his injuries.

If he left now with all that's at stake in Cleveland he would be burning some serious bridges while simultaneously being rushed into a potentially hectic situation that wouldn't have any more upside than the Cleveland situation. I don't think there's any chance at all he goes anywhere but Cleveland.

Kante · 02-25-2010, 06:11 PM

I would stick with Haywood/Damp...

mavsfan1000 · 02-25-2010, 07:12 PM

Yeah Ilgauskas would have to move. I think he wants to stay in Cleveland where his family is.

SeriousSummer · 02-25-2010, 07:20 PM

Don't know--I've been to Cleveland. Once was enough. Still, I suppose it's a lot like Lithuania so far as the winters go.

He probably goes back, but you gotta ask.

kg_veteran · 02-25-2010, 08:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dirno2000

Even if he doesn't go back Cleveland this doesn't seem like the best situation he could find with Damp expected back eventually.

I agree.

SLATS · 02-25-2010, 08:06 PM

Z would be a much better back up than Damp, Haywood is already proving he is better than both of those guys. Can anyone tell me why everyone likes Damp as a player on this site? I think he is very over-rated.

bobbyfg7 · 02-25-2010, 08:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SLATS

Z would be a much better back up than Damp, Haywood is already proving he is better than both of those guys. Can anyone tell me why everyone likes Damp as a player on this site? I think he is very over-rated.

Well I can't speak for everyone but as the self proclaimed biggest Erick "Stone Hands" Dampier hater, I can say that Damp gets a bad wrap because his offense has always been questionable/nonexistent.

But his size and defense really brings a lot to the table. With Damp clogging up the lane, he forces teams to think twice about driving it to basket. He's always been a decent rebounder also.

So if you look at Damp as solely a defensive force, then he's extremely valuable to the team. Now that Dallas has more offensive options (Marion, Butler, Haywood, Kidd of late) Damp's lack of offense is less noticeable.

Not to mention, he's playing for a contract from someone next season. So his play of recent has been better.

jthig32 · 02-25-2010, 10:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SLATS

Z would be a much better back up than Damp, Haywood is already proving he is better than both of those guys. Can anyone tell me why everyone likes Damp as a player on this site? I think he is very over-rated.

Everyone? You must not have been reading long.

The idea of Damp being over rated is pretty hilarious though. He'd have to be dead to be over rated by the generic Mavs/NBA fan.

Zki41 · 02-25-2010, 10:41 PM

I think we have a better chance of getting Lebron in the summer than Zydrunas in the next 30 days.

SMC0007 · 02-25-2010, 10:57 PM

Yeay, BIG Z and his concrete shoes. How exciting.

ReDirkulous Tyme · 02-25-2010, 11:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jthig32

Everyone? You must not have been reading long.

The idea of Damp being over rated is pretty hilarious though. He'd have to be dead to be over rated by the generic Mavs/NBA fan.

Exactly. Damp is actually slightly underrated due to the fact that after his contract year before Dallas signed him he became extremely overrated, and was never able to consistently live up to those expectations. Ergo, because he didn't even come close to living up to the hype he created during his contract year, he has since been under appreciated and underrated.

MavsX · 02-26-2010, 08:10 AM

i think the NBA needs to change these rules..where you can get traded...bought out..then go back to your original team. How is that fair..that just makes the team stronger. All because some teams have lousy GM's and front offices. that make these crappy deals in the first place. So they want to get rid of guys and just give them away for nothing. ridiculous.

Sportstudi · 02-26-2010, 10:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MavsX

i think the NBA needs to change these rules..where you can get traded...bought out..then go back to your original team. How is that fair..that just makes the team stronger. All because some teams have lousy GM's and front offices. that make these crappy deals in the first place. So they want to get rid of guys and just give them away for nothing. ridiculous.

Agreed.

EricaLubarsky · 02-26-2010, 12:33 PM

based on 2600 votes, RealGM readers overwhelmingly voted that the NBA should patch that hole in the CBA.

Yes 73%
No 27%

sefant77 · 02-26-2010, 12:40 PM

Z-Cleveland/planned and discussed with FO and Z allready before the thread

/close

And yes, the NBA should fix that crap because since Stack no one talk anymore before about it but still everyone does it.

MavsX · 02-26-2010, 01:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EricaLubarsky

based on 2600 votes, RealGM readers overwhelmingly voted that the NBA should patch that hole in the CBA.

Yes 73%
No 27%

makes sense to me!

muzak · 02-26-2010, 02:14 PM

Of course Stern will let this one happen so he can finally get his LJ/Kobe ratings-machine-championship.

Nowitzki4President · 02-26-2010, 02:30 PM

I think of any teams other than Cleve, we've got the best shot. Dunno how much that chance is, but atleast we've got one. More than any other team can say...

Kidd Karma · 02-26-2010, 03:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MavsX

i think the NBA needs to change these rules..where you can get traded...bought out..then go back to your original team. How is that fair..that just makes the team stronger. All because some teams have lousy GM's and front offices. that make these crappy deals in the first place. So they want to get rid of guys and just give them away for nothing. ridiculous.

Agreed, but I just started thinking about our C depth for next year and the DUST Chip, wonder how the league would word this type of rule, because it may screw us out of a boomerang Dampier.

MavsX · 02-26-2010, 03:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kidd Karma

Agreed, but I just started thinking about our C depth for next year and the DUST Chip, wonder how the league would word this type of rule, because it may screw us out of a boomerang Dampier.

true. but then you don't make the deal unless it really gets you that much better.

MavsX · 02-26-2010, 03:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nowitzki4President

I think of any teams other than Cleve, we've got the best shot. Dunno how much that chance is, but atleast we've got one. More than any other team can say...

cle = 99%
dal = 1%

Kidd Karma · 02-26-2010, 04:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MavsX

true. but then you don't make the deal unless it really gets you that much better.

True and then he would still be an expiring if his contract is picked up.

badfish22 · 02-26-2010, 06:34 PM

PDcavsinsider: WKNR 850 AM's Michael Reghi, who I will join in minutes, is reporting that Z has decided to re-sign with the Cavs.

http://twitter.com/PDcavsinsider

MaverickKid90 · 07-05-2010, 09:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SMC0007

Yeay, BIG Z and his concrete shoes. How exciting.

I don't know what BIG Z is thinking to be honest.. I think he's just trying to play the field but will end up going back to CLE. lol.. concrete shoes..

EricaLubarsky · 07-05-2010, 10:02 PM

interesting bump...

jcm28 · 07-05-2010, 11:38 PM

This guy is like a zombie. I hope he never plays for the mavs.