Cavaliers Weigh Loyalty in Possible Ilgauskas Deal

Filed under: Cavaliers

LOS ANGELES -- Center Zydrunas Ilgauskas has been with Cleveland since draft night in 1996, tying him with the Lakers' Kobe Bryant for the longest ongoing tenure with one NBA team. He's fought back from devastating foot injuries to twice make All-Star teams. He's re-signed twice with the team.



There's no question Ilgauskas has been loyal to the Cavaliers. But will the Feb. 18 trade deadline pass with the Cavaliers being loyal to him?



Ilgauskas, who has an expiring $11.54 million contract and has told FanHouse he might retire at the end of the season, is a prime piece for Cleveland to trade in this perhaps all-or-nothing effort to win the championship and retain LeBron James. Ilgauskas said "of course'' he doesn't want to be dealt, but he doesn't believe any possible loyalty to him would factor into the decision and doesn't believe it should.



"That has nothing to do with how long I've been here,'' Ilgauskas said in an interview with FanHouse while the Cavaliers were at the Staples Center for Friday's big 102-87 win over the Lakers. "No matter how long I've played for the Cleveland Cavaliers, I always leave with the best memories because I had a great time here. Awesome time.''

 

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Full story at http://nba.fanhouse.com/2009/12/26/cavaliers-weigh-loyalty-in-possible-ilgauskas-deal/