http://www.cleveland.com/newslogs/p...leve_plaindealer/archives/2005_07.html#068262 6:56 p.m. Z staying with Cavaliers Free agent center Zydrunas Ilgauskas will remain with the Cavaliers. Ilgauskas intends to sign a five-year deal worth between $55 and $60 million on July 22, the first day free agents can sign. Ilgauskas, who averaged 16.9 points and 8.6 rebounds a game this past season, is the second free agent to agree to a deal with the Cavs. Washington Wizards guard Larry Hughes intends to sign a deal with the Cavs worth between $65 and $70 million dollars.
Wow. Not that suprising, just thought his number would be bigger. But again, it seems like the size premium has morphed into an athleticism premium this offseason. How much does Cleveland have left?
I read somewhere else it was 5yrs/$60MM. This is a big risk for the Cavs but they almost had to do it. If the 30 year old Z goes down with injuries or his play fades a lot they are stuck. However, losing him would have created a hole in their lineup that couldn't be filled any time soon. IMO, Z was in the right place at the right time because I don't think he would have gotten that much in the open market, unless the Hawks wanted to throw crazy money at him. He is more valuable to Cleveland than to anyone else. I don't think he will match last season's stats the rest of his career because he is on the downside.
I don't think Big Z is necessarily on the downside. IF he can avoid anymore foot problems, and that's a major IF, then he should be okay for a couple of years because like Grant Hill he doesn't have a ton of games on his body because he's missed a couple of years. I think he can sustain his production for the next 2-3 years, and then start to fade a bit.
Thanks to Cavs, Big Z is one of the wealthiest people in Cleveland. His last contract was $84 million.
$120M+ for Z and Larry frickin Hughes. In just one week, the Cavs have overtaken the Warriors and Knicks as dumbest franchise in the L.
No way. At least the Cavs shelled out for some talent. The Warriors locked up two scrubs in Foyle and Fisher to the tune of 70+ million. Big Z is making market value for a decent big man. And while Hughes is getting overpaid, he's still a good ball player. I'd take him on our team for 60 million if we had the space.
I see your point. However, at least Foyle will be able to suit up. Whereas the overwhelming odds are that a 30 yr old Z will be dressed in street clothes w/ continuing foot problems for half of this contract. Regarding Hughes, I just personally cannot stand his game. As I posted in his Cavs thread, he has terrible shot selection, gambles on D, and is selfish. Plus he's on par w/ Francis when it comes to bball IQ. No way I would want him on the Rox for $60 mill. Fisher aint no superstar, but at least he's won games and made a ton of big shots on playoff teams. I'm not advocating the contract he got from the Warriors. But let's face it, Hughes stunk it up against Miami where he got torched by Wade for 40 a night and could not even win one game with Shaq out. I think they call that throating in the GARM
Maybe the Rox can take Drew Gooden off their hands? If Cavs sign Udonis Haslem they're still after a PG going by media reports so maybe they'd want the Rox TE?
I believe it is estimated Cavs have 6M in cap space left. This all depends on where the cap really is. I've heard ranges from 47M to 52M. Z at 5 years 60M starts at 10M with 10.5% raises. Hughes at 5 years 70M starts at 12M with 8% raises They started with approx 28M so 28-12-10=6M
I've already mention somewhere something similar. If they get Haslem and we can't nail down a PF then a swap of Gooden for Mike James straight up. There are rumors of Gooden having ADD and this is why he bounces around from team to team. He had an awsome year last year but if the Cavs don't want him that is telling. Also T-Mac & Howard played with him for 1 year so they would be in the know if there is something going on.
That was the idea. They wanted to have something just slightly MORE than the MLE to get their 3rd piece. If they go after Haslem then they move Gooden for a PG. If they dont get Haslem then they go after a PG with that money. Probably Saras. I am sure they are looking at Daniels too, although with Hughes in the backcourt that isnt a great combination with the lack of perimeter shooting.
Gooden would be permanently locked in the JVG doghouse before the first game of the season. Have no questions. He's the epitome of guys that don't care about their team or the game. Cut-the-check guy, who puts more into hitting clubs than the game the next day. All 3 stops he's worn out his welcome with his 1-game-on-3-games-off attitude. Don't look at his averages. Look at his game log. He's the last kind of guy I'd want here. Zero heart. Zero bball IQ. Evan
I totally agree. In no time Rockets fans would begin to loathe Gooden. As an aside....funny that the great talent evaluator Jerry West drafted him.
In addition, the Cavs HAVE to surround Lebron with talent. If they don't, they'll lose one of the biggest attractions in the NBA when his contract is up. These are good moves for them. They've got to do whatever it takes to keep Lebron James happy to be in Cleveland, Ohio.
