Sports.Rumors don't affect Z
Published: Saturday, October 10, 2009
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By Bob Finnan
RFinnan@News-Herald.com
Zydrunas Ilgauskas isn't oblivious to trade rumors.
He probably reads "HoopsHype.com" every morning like everyone else.
The Cavaliers center isn't putting much stock in the Contra Costa Times report that the Golden State Warriors have offered guard Stephen Jackson and another player for his services.
But he realizes it could happen.
"I'd rather stay here," he said. "This is a business. When I come to that bridge, I'll cross it.
"Shaq got traded three times. If it happens, life goes on. You deal with it and you move on."
The Cavs, who travel to Charleston, S.C., tonight to face the Charlotte Bobcats in their second preseason game, have quality frontcourt depth in Shaquille O'Neal, Ilgauskas, Anderson Varejao and J.J. Hickson, among others.
Take the 7-foot-3, 260-pound Ilgauskas out of the equation, though, and the Cavs become quite ordinary.
That's why Cavs general manager Danny Ferry might listen to such offers, but isn't apt to pull the trigger — at least now.
The Cavs know Boston and Orlando have powerful big men who could prove to be Eastern Conference roadblocks in the postseason.
Ilgauskas will make $11.5 million this season in the final year on his contract. Also, he has a 15-percent trade kicker.
Ilgauskas' expiring contract will come into play at the trade deadline, however. Expect Ferry to get a lot of phone calls between now and then. However, it would be very difficult for Ferry to trade Ilgauskas.
They were former teammates and have remained close even after Ferry moved to the front office.
But Ferry can't let that cloud his decision-making.
"He has a job to do and that's to build a championship contender," Ilgauskas said. "I've been traded 75 times since I've been here. After a while, you become numb to it."
But there's a subplot to the story. The 34-year-old could retire after this season.
"I didn't say I was going to retire," Ilgauskas said. "There's always a chance. There are injuries and everything else. We'll see how I feel at the end of the season.
"I'll be a free agent, so my contract is up. Who knows what is going to happen here? I'll decide at the end of the year if I feel like playing and see what kind of opportunities are out there."
Judging by the current state of big men in the NBA, he'll be able to play beyond this season.
Cavs coach Mike Brown concurs.
"Seven-footers, especially guys who have skill, can play forever," he said. "There have been a lot of 7-footers who have played forever. Some have played into their late 30s or early 40s.
"You can't coach size. (Those players) are going to be big no matter if they move slow or move slower. In my opinion, Z can play as long as he wants."
Ilgauskas said he's not ready for the scrap heap.
"I have a few good years of basketball left in me," he said. "It gets harder every year mentally and physically."
The Cavs hope to play into mid-June this season, which would mean another NBA Finals appearance. That would mean more than 100 games counting the preseason, regular season and playoffs.
Add West Coast trips and back-to-back games and one can realize why aging players are practically exhausted by season's end.
"The grind gets tougher and tougher each year," Ilgauskas said. "It takes its toll on your body.
"Winning a championship won't play a big part one way or another."
Neither would the fact that he's now a father. He and his wife adopted two orphan boys from Lithuania over the summer.
Ilgauskas has been in Cleveland since he was drafted in 1996. He's not campaigning to pick up and move now.
"I would love to finish here," he said. "I expressed my desire to stay with this team, especially now that we have a chance to win."
Quick shots
n Neither guard Delonte West nor forward Jamario Moon will play in tonight's preseason game against Charlotte. West remains away from the team as he takes care of legal and personal matters in the Washington, D.C., area. Moon had two wisdom teeth extracted on Friday at the Cleveland Clinic.
n Fox Sports Ohio's Fred McLeod will fill in for WTAM radio broadcaster Joe Tait in tonight's game. Tait is being inducted into the Monmouth (Ill.) College hall of fame and will miss the game.
n The New York Daily News is running the "LeBron Free Agent Countdown" on its Website everyday. For those keeping track at home, there are 264 days until King James reaches the open market.