Cavs to sign big man to five-year deal
CLEVELAND -- Days after the Cleveland Cavaliers made waves with a marquee free-agent signing, Zydrunas Ilgauskas has elected to remain with the club.
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| Ilgauskas |
Ilgauskas agreed in principle to a five-year deal on Monday, his agent, Herb Rudoy, told ESPN Insider Chad Ford.
According to Rudoy, Ilgauskas's contract is worth between $55 and $60 million.
The agreement comes three days after the Cavaliers agreed to terms with guard Larry Hughes, one of the top prizes on the free-agent market after a stellar season with the Washington Wizards.
Hughes' six-year deal is worth between $65-$70 million. Based on those numbers and a projected $49.5 million cap, the Cavs still could have as much as $6 million left under the cap to sign more free agents.
According to a source inside the Cavs, the team has several other targets including Lithuanian point guard Sarunas Jasikevicius and Heat power forward Udonis Haslem.
The 30-year-old Ilgauskas, who has played all seven of his seasons with Cleveland, averaged 16.9 points and 8.6 rebounds in 78 games last season. He led the NBA with 299 offensive rebounds, ranked sixth with 165 blocks and was selected to the Eastern Conference All-Star team for the second time in three years.
After suffering through myriad foot injuries early in his career, the 7-3, 260-pounder has been a constant presence in the middle for the Cavaliers. Ilgauskas has missed just six games over the last three seasons and has increased his minutes in each campaign.
In 413 career games, the Lithuania native has averaged 14.9 points and 7.7 rebounds.
Information from SportsTicker was used in this report.
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