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, agent Herb 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.
Ilgauskas’ decision became known less than a week after James — who played a role in recruiting the 7-foot-3 Lithuanian to South Florida — sparked outrage and outcry in Cleveland by going on a made-for-television special and saying he was joining the Heat.
This departure won’t generate the same reaction from Clevelanders, but it’ll hurt nonetheless.
Ilgauskas was a fan favorite for more than a decade, and when he returned to the Cavs after getting traded to the Washington Wizards this past season, a sellout crowd welcomed him with huge signs bearing the letter “Z” — his moniker. Ilgauskas never played for the Wizards, quickly getting bought out and then returning to Cleveland after a 30-day waiting period.
Playing with James again was a major factor in Ilgauskas’ decision.
“LeBron was very encouraging and explained the whole situation,” Ilgauskas told the South Florida Sun-Sentinel. “And, obviously, he’s my friend, and him being there made it a lot easier to choose.”
On his Twitter feed, James quickly welcomed Ilgauskas to Miami.
“Glad u are joining me in South Beach my friend. Also thanks for the encouraging words big fella,” James wrote.
The Heat had no immediate comment. They had talks about acquiring Ilgauskas when he was available this past season after the trade to Washington and buyout that followed.
Ilgauskas is the Cavs’ career leader in games played, blocked shots and rebounds. He 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 presumably Mike Miller , who agreed to a deal late last week that remains unsigned. Agent Arn Tellem wrote on his blog Monday that Miller will play in Miami.
It’s still possible Ilgauskas accepts a one-year deal, though his preference is the multi-year arrangement.
“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.
In Minneapolis, in their quest to get more athletic, faster and financially flexible, the Minnesota Timberwolves were looking to move power forward Al Jefferson’s slow-it-down, low-post game and chunky contract.
The Utah Jazz were searching for a replacement for Carlos Boozer who can score and rebound on the block and divert some attention from star point guard Deron Williams on the perimeter.
They found the right match in each other.
The Timberwolves agreed to send Jefferson to the Jazz for two future first-round draft picks and center Kosta Koufos , the teams confirmed Tuesday. Utah used the traded player exception it got from Chicago in the Boozer deal to complete the transaction and give Minnesota even more salary cap flexibility going forward.
Jefferson averaged 17.1 points and 9.3 rebounds last season for the Timberwolves in his first year back from a major knee injury in February 2009. But the Wolves have signed center Darko Milicic , agreed to terms with center Nikola Pekovic and traded for Michael Beasley to reshape a small front line into a bigger, and sleeker, unit.
In the end, Jefferson was viewed as expendable because his style of play, while extremely effective on the offensive end, does not fit with what the Timberwolves want to do under coach Kurt Rambis.
“With Kevin Love and Michael Beasley on the team, there wouldn’t have been enough playing time for everybody to showcase Al,” Timberwolves president David Kahn said in a conference call on Tuesday night.
He will see plenty of action with the perennial playoff contender in Utah, teaming with Paul Millsap to help fill a void created when Boozer went to Chicago.
“We are happy to acquire a young power player who has developed into one of the best low-post scorers in the league,” Jazz GM Kevin O’Connor said in a statement provided by the team. “We gave up significant assets to obtain Al and we look forward to watching him progress with our team.”
