Z Plans to Remain a Cav next season (and beyond)

[wuck]

Windhorst talked to Z about his hopes and plans to stay with the Cavs next season and, possibly, beyond.

Cavaliers Insider: Zydrunas Ilgauskas looks at future with team
by Brian Windhorst/Plain Dealer Reporter
Friday April 10, 2009, 8:19 PM

PHILADELPHIA -- By this time in the season with six months of pounding in the rear view, Zydrunas Ilgauskas is feeling his age.

He's about two months away from his 34th birthday, which is retirement time for many players. Not for Ilgauskas, though. On Friday, he said he's pretty much come to terms with two decisions he's going to be facing soon enough about his future.

First, he is sticking to his preseason plan not to opt out of his contract at the end of this season. Second, he said he wants to remain a Cav past next season.

"I want to stay here so I don't see a good reason to opt out," Ilgauskas said. "But I am confident I can play beyond this contract and continue to be a contributor for a few more years."

Scheduled to make $11.5 million next season, it makes sense not to use his early termination option. However, with his intention to play more than one more year, some players and agents would look at the chance differently. If Ilgauskas opted out, he could sign a new contract that perhaps would pay him less next season but give him a couple of more years with good security and more guaranteed money.

He took this route in 2005 when he agreed to take a pay cut on the front end of his current contract while being rewarded on the back end.

"I'm not sure about doing an extension, maybe it is something we'll talk about after the season," Ilgauskas said. "It hard to guess because you never know when your legs are going to go out. But I'm feeling good."

The Cavs could benefit from a restructuring of Ilgauskas contract to get under the luxury tax next season. However, they also are looking to maintain as much cap space as possible for 2010 when his contract would expire.

SOURCE

 

[breanna]

Be a contributor for a few more years eh? We'll see. I never thought he was going anywhere. This isn't a surprise. Z=CAV 4 LIFE.

 

[wuck]

Be a contributor for a few more years eh?

"Being a contributor" leaves a lot of room for interpretation. He could get paid less, play less, and mentor a young center, for instance, down the road.

I agree with you -- can't see him signing with another team. That would very non-Z-like.

 

[Lee]

"Being a contributor" leaves a lot of room for interpretation. He could get paid less, play less, and mentor a young center, for instance, down the road.

I agree with you -- can't see him signing with another team. That would very non-Z-like.

Z off the bench in a year or two can add another 3 or so years to his game. he already is slow, his shot is going anywhere and he isnt going to shrink. Z coming in to backup a starting center for 15-18 minutes a game would be great, and a huge contribution to the team.

 

[Casualties14]

Z off the bench in a year or two can add another 3 or so years to his game. he already is slow, his shot is going anywhere and he isnt going to shrink. Z coming in to backup a starting center for 15-18 minutes a game would be great, and a huge contribution to the team.

Assuming that we can find a legit starting C.

 

[Lee]

Assuming that we can find a legit starting C.

Big assumption there, I would like to make a run at Chandler or even Darko, not sure if pavs and filler can get Chandler though.

 

[Mindphaser]

He is going to take that 11.5M. Who wouldn't?

 

[wuck]

He is going to take that 11.5M. Who wouldn't?

Z in 2005 might not have.

That year, he agreed to a cut in pay to help make salary cap room for incoming free agents and agreed to his current longer-term deal. Obviously, things are different now with him closer to the end of his career but players have opted out in these situations before for various reasons.

In some ways, it's advantageous for the Cavs to have him on a 1-year deal that ends in 2010 rather than a longer deal. Just in case he calls it quits or gets injured, etc.

 

[Man Called X]

God dammit. I want to have a beer with the gentle giant. You're getting that ring Z. Hope you stick around for 4 more rings too.

 

[kblade]

Z can you come off the bench next season.

 

[Splitz]

This news is sure to please Moo...

 

[breanna]

Z can be a CAV as long as he wants!

 

[Dr. Gymbo]

This news is sure to please Moo...

I would think that he would already have known and been on top of the news, right? Surely this can't be a surprise?

~Jim

 

[Housh]

Off bench I could see Z for 2-3 more years

 

[-KingofKings23-]

I hope Z retires as a cav. One of the all time great cav players.