ducks
05-25-2006, 02:17 PM
Ilgauskas could be center of attention
Direction Cavs plan to take might include trade
By Brian Windhorst
Beacon Journal sportswriter
The Cavaliers will be in evaluation mode for the next few weeks.
They have three picks in June's NBA Draft and four of their own free agents to deal with, but the largest and first decision could involve center Zydrunas Ilgauskas.
Ilgauskas, the longest-tenured Cavalier, could be the subject of trade talks, team insiders said.
It is a complex issue for General Manager Danny Ferry, one that will play out in the coming months.
Before the Cavs make any personnel decisions, they will have to decide what sort of changes need to be made.
The Cavs' defense turned into a strong point by the end of the season, and their chemistry was perhaps the best in the NBA. The offense had its moments, but broke down under pressure at times during the season and in the playoff loss to the Detroit Pistons.
How the team proceeds in this area might determine Ilgauskas' future. Coach Mike Brown said this week that he would consider bringing in an offensive-minded assistant coach. If a new assistant comes in, his philosophy would play into the decisions. If Brown decides to make changes himself, that would play in. Ferry has the final word on all decisions.
How Ilgauskas' talents match up with the Cavs' chosen course could determine whether they look at any possibilities of trading him.
Ilgauskas struggled during the postseason, averaging 10 points and shooting 45 percent, both well below his regular-season averages.
The Cavs sometimes performed better with a quicker lineup on the floor, including young big man Anderson Varejao.
Officials from other teams, as well as some of Ilgauskas' teammates, believe he is under-used in the Cavs' current offensive scheme.
The answer might be that he is not the right fit with the talent on the roster, and the Cavs could look to join a growing trend in the NBA, which is to play a more up-tempo game with less emphasis on a back-to-the-basket center like Ilgauskas.
Ferry, however, is a big supporter of Ilgauskas and pushed to re-sign him when he was hired as GM last June. Until Ferry's arrival, it appeared Ilgauskas' return was not a sure thing for the 2005-06 season.
In July, Ferry got Ilgauskas to agree to a five-year, $51 million contract.
The deal required Ilgauskas to take a $6 million pay cut from the previous season, which helped the Cavs add three other high-profile free agents: Larry Hughes, Donyell Marshall and Damon Jones.
In return, Ilgauskas received a fifth season on the contract worth $11.5 million that was his option, a kicker that hikes his salary 15 percent if he's traded and premium refunds on a $24 million insurance policy.
Even with all of that, there is a belief that there would be a demand on the trade market for Ilgauskas. Regarded as one of the top three offensive centers in the NBA, behind Shaquille O'Neal and Yao Ming, numerous teams who have a hole in the middle might have interest. During the past year, the two players Ferry got the most trade pitches for were Ilgauskas, who is still only 30, and Varejao, a team insider said.
At this point, nothing is certain except there will be some exploration in the coming months.
Brian Windhorst can be reached at [email protected] Check out Windhorst's Cavaliers weblog at http://blogs.ohio.com/cavaliers_blog
Direction Cavs plan to take might include trade
By Brian Windhorst
Beacon Journal sportswriter
The Cavaliers will be in evaluation mode for the next few weeks.
They have three picks in June's NBA Draft and four of their own free agents to deal with, but the largest and first decision could involve center Zydrunas Ilgauskas.
Ilgauskas, the longest-tenured Cavalier, could be the subject of trade talks, team insiders said.
It is a complex issue for General Manager Danny Ferry, one that will play out in the coming months.
Before the Cavs make any personnel decisions, they will have to decide what sort of changes need to be made.
The Cavs' defense turned into a strong point by the end of the season, and their chemistry was perhaps the best in the NBA. The offense had its moments, but broke down under pressure at times during the season and in the playoff loss to the Detroit Pistons.
How the team proceeds in this area might determine Ilgauskas' future. Coach Mike Brown said this week that he would consider bringing in an offensive-minded assistant coach. If a new assistant comes in, his philosophy would play into the decisions. If Brown decides to make changes himself, that would play in. Ferry has the final word on all decisions.
How Ilgauskas' talents match up with the Cavs' chosen course could determine whether they look at any possibilities of trading him.
Ilgauskas struggled during the postseason, averaging 10 points and shooting 45 percent, both well below his regular-season averages.
The Cavs sometimes performed better with a quicker lineup on the floor, including young big man Anderson Varejao.
Officials from other teams, as well as some of Ilgauskas' teammates, believe he is under-used in the Cavs' current offensive scheme.
The answer might be that he is not the right fit with the talent on the roster, and the Cavs could look to join a growing trend in the NBA, which is to play a more up-tempo game with less emphasis on a back-to-the-basket center like Ilgauskas.
Ferry, however, is a big supporter of Ilgauskas and pushed to re-sign him when he was hired as GM last June. Until Ferry's arrival, it appeared Ilgauskas' return was not a sure thing for the 2005-06 season.
In July, Ferry got Ilgauskas to agree to a five-year, $51 million contract.
The deal required Ilgauskas to take a $6 million pay cut from the previous season, which helped the Cavs add three other high-profile free agents: Larry Hughes, Donyell Marshall and Damon Jones.
In return, Ilgauskas received a fifth season on the contract worth $11.5 million that was his option, a kicker that hikes his salary 15 percent if he's traded and premium refunds on a $24 million insurance policy.
Even with all of that, there is a belief that there would be a demand on the trade market for Ilgauskas. Regarded as one of the top three offensive centers in the NBA, behind Shaquille O'Neal and Yao Ming, numerous teams who have a hole in the middle might have interest. During the past year, the two players Ferry got the most trade pitches for were Ilgauskas, who is still only 30, and Varejao, a team insider said.
At this point, nothing is certain except there will be some exploration in the coming months.
Brian Windhorst can be reached at [email protected] Check out Windhorst's Cavaliers weblog at http://blogs.ohio.com/cavaliers_blog