Count Cleveland Cavaliers free-agent center Zydrunas Ilgauskas as the latest to sign up alongside Dwyane Wade, LeBron James and Chris Bosh.
Agent Herb Rudoy confirmed Tuesday to the Sun Sentinel that Ilgauskas will sign with the Heat, with the only issue whether it will be a one-year deal, or one year plus a player option. "Once LeBron signed there," Rudoy said, "LeBron started recruiting him." Rudoy said the Heat also pushed for Ilgauskas at midseason, after the center received a buyout from the Washington Wizards. Ilgausksas then re-signed with Cleveland for the balance of the season. "The Heat was very active in recruiting," Rudoy said.
Ilgausksas, a teammate of James during James' seven seasons in Cleveland, would become the first center under contract to the Heat. Ilgauskas would be signing for the veteran minimum, which would be $1.4 million for his tenure.
Good start, good big, good skills, good price.
Lacking other proven options given certain cap con$traint$, Ilgauskas was an easy choice for our very short shortlist once Wade + Bosh was assured and The Decision became fait accompli.
Next up, Big Cat -- the other big on our list who led the Heat in boards+bruises per-minute last season. Magloire is usually an afterthought in F/A discussions though he's a personal fave as a savvy enforcer always ready to serve & protect.
Add Magloire's physicality to Ilgauskas' skills and the Heat have an almost perfect Frankenbig if they hold up for 25-30 minutes (combined) per night.
