Big Z's Agent: "He's headed to Miami."

[Chamillitary Click]

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=5377012

MIAMI -- Zydrunas Ilgauskas is following LeBron James to the Miami Heat.
 
"Once LeBron signed there, LeBron started recruiting him," said Herb Rudoy, Ilgauskas' agent, according to the South Florida Sun-Sentinel, which first reported the move.

The veteran center, who started playing for Cleveland in 1997 and has never suited up for another NBA team, expects to sign a two-year contract with the Heat later this week, Rudoy said Tuesday. The two-year deal would come with a player option for the second season, Rudoy said.

"We've agreed to agree," Rudoy said.

The Heat had no immediate comment. They had talks about acquiring Ilgauskas when he was available this past season after being dealt in a three-team trade to Washington. The Wizards subsequently bought out his contract and made him a free agent.

Ilgauskas is the Cavs' career leader in games played, blocked shots and rebounds. The 7-foot-3 Lithuanian was drafted by the club in 1996 and overcame serious foot injuries that nearly ended his career.

He's just the latest name to join what shapes up as a serious title contender in Miami, joining not only James but Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh, Udonis Haslem and Mike Miller, who agreed to a deal late last week that remains unsigned.

"His best chance to win a championship would be in Miami," Rudoy said.

Ilgauskas told Cavs owner Dan Gilbert and general manager Chris Grant the news on Tuesday. James played a role in luring Ilgauskas to Miami, and other teams were interested as well.

Ilgauskas was immensely popular in Cleveland, and expects to keep a home in the city.

"It's hard," Rudoy said. "It's been 14 years. It was very hard for him. I know that. When he called Chris Grant and Dan Gilbert today, it was definitely a hard decision at this stage of his career. But he wants to win a championship. That's how he made this decision."

Playing as a reserve for the first time, Ilgauskas averaged 7.4 points and 5.4 rebounds last season. For his career, Ilgauskas has averaged 13.8 points and 7.7 rebounds, plus has played in two All-Star games.

Wade
Miller
James
Bosh
Big Z

Chalmers & Haslem off the bench as of now.

You can't fuck with that unit.

[Lunatic]

They got no money left pretty much. The other 5 five players (they have 7 right now) are gonna' be serious bums.

[Bch]

noooooo not big Z.. that dude is super slow cant even get up and down the court! bring back tough and scrappy joel anthony

[Chamillitary Click]

They got no money left pretty much. The other 5 five players (they have 7 right now) are gonna' be serious bums.

Not necessarily true.

They are allowed to go over the cap to sign minimum salary contracts or veteran's minimum contracts to fill the roster.

So yeah, the players COULD suck, but there is always a chance they can convince some old vet or some kid who wants to win to take the minimum & join the party. I guess we'll see.

noooooo not big Z.. that dude is super slow cant even get up and down the court! bring back tough and scrappy joel anthony

He's good for them, he won't be clogging shit up in the lane because more times than not, he's spotting up on the wing to try to hit 20 footers. So I mean, he's what they want. Plus Big Z & LeBron are good friends, so that's some chemistry too.

[7even]

I called it. Ever since Bron signed, it was obvious from the get-go. Now niggas like Stackhouse and maybe also AI and T-Mac will join the party for the vets min. Then the rookies will get contracts.

[Bch]

They got no money left pretty much. The other 5 five players (they have 7 right now) are gonna' be serious bums.

Not necessarily true.

They are allowed to go over the cap to sign minimum salary contracts or veteran's minimum contracts to fill the roster.

So yeah, the players COULD suck, but there is always a chance they can convince some old vet or some kid who wants to win to take the minimum & join the party. I guess we'll see.

noooooo not big Z.. that dude is super slow cant even get up and down the court! bring back tough and scrappy joel anthony

He's good for them, he won't be clogging shit up in the lane because more times than not, he's spotting up on the wing to try to hit 20 footers. So I mean, he's what they want. Plus Big Z & LeBron are good friends, so that's some chemistry too.

Z can hold his own against yao ming and andrew "bad knees" bynum. it's the other athletic center i'ma lil worried about in Dwight Howard and Perkin's/Garnett who mauled UD in the playoffs.

I've been looking at this new Heat team and one thing they do have is Chemistry, Chemistry Chemistry..  Mike Miller/UD were roomates playing for the Florida Gators. Lebron/Bosh/Wade are all close friends, and then you add Z to the mix its a great situation. Now im just hoping MIA lands Raja Bell (lakers are only offering him the vet minumum also) and keeps Carlos Arroyo as an insurance policy at the PG

[Chamillitary Click]

^But he comes through back on the offesnive end. And Bosh is likely to get matched-up with the better big men.

But like I said, LeBron & Wade grabbed boards every game of their careers, so not only will they be down there getting the ball; but I'm sure they're going to be helping Bosh & Z with anybody trying to take advantage in the post & they are two elite defenders on top of that.

[theremedy360]

Illgauskas= Cleveland's 2nd biggest new enemy

[you gon always be my latin queen bitch]

These muffuccaz playin follow the leader 2 win

[westsiderider323]

Illgauskas= Cleveland's 2nd biggest new enemy

naw he third lebrons 1st delonte is 2nd or other way around

[OG Hack Wilson]

this adds another 6 fouls - this is huge for miami


the window is starting to close on my celtics.... :-/

[you gon always be my latin queen bitch]

Best believe windows are closin 4 the irish

[IRAN iz Gangsta!]

haha they signed juwan howard too...that'll be funny they're gonna bring in bunch of old washed up players to fill in the other spots....everyone hop on the imaginary championship wagon 

[7even]

All these old washed up vets minimum niggas will slowly but surely be replaced my MLE niggas and draft picks, but for right now it's the best thing to do to add some experienced guys who pathetically want a ring and are willingly giving up their star status for it. I'm looking at you, AI and T-Mac.

[you gon always be my latin queen bitch]

yeah a.i. ruined his career by jumpin from team 2 team