Nuggets interested in Zydrunas Ilgauskas

[drdrey22]

I think that's the big, we have been looking for. Final piece to the puzzle to ensure playoff sucess against the lakers. Hopefully.

[milehigh]

Without a doubt we could definitely use him, question is would he? I'll take any big that keeps Malik on the bench.

[MHZ]

Z is going nowhere. It's not even really worth our time to stress about. He's going back to Cleveland. There's just about zero incentive for Z to go to Denver over Cleveland, unless he's holding some kind of grudge against the Cavs, and I don't think that's the case.

Denver doesn't present a clearly better chance to win a title.
Z doesn't stand to get a ton more minutes in Denver versus Cleveland.
He has zero learning curve if he goes back to CLE, he has a bigger one in Denver.
His family lives in Cleveland.

Unless he has some ill will toward Cleveland, which again, I don't think he does, there's no shot. Any "interest" in other teams is purely for show, so the NBA doesn't come after them.

Maybe if we still had The Lithuanian Hammer, LK, he might be more enticed to play with a fellow countryman.

[Nutty Nats Fan]

We should all start rumors to create that ill will!

And wasn't this already discussed and old news?

[J Smitty]

While I agree he is definitely going back to Cleveland, I'd say there is far from zero incentive to go to Denver over Cleveland.

We can give him more money.
I also think we would give him substantially more minutes, considering he is now behind Shaq, Jamison, Varajeo, and Hickson on Cleveland's depth chart....with guy's like Williams and Powe right there in the front court to steal other opportunities from him. Realistically, he is not going to play much(he wasn't already). While here, he is automatically the 4th big(at worst) and would get very regular minutes.
And with him, I think we could be the favorites for a title. Although no one would ever say that, and it's not like we'd be on another level then Cleveland, so the point is moot. But still.


The other aspect he should be thinking about, is the fact that he is going to be a free agent in the summer. And he isn't exactly Cleveland's top priority either. If James is to leave, I see no realistic way that they would bring him back. And even if they did, it wouldn't be for much money or a chance to win anymore.

So basically, he is in the same situation no matter where he decides to go. His future beyond this year is unknown, so showing Cleveland so much loyalty right now my bite him in his ass in a few months anyway(considering they already just traded him, and gave him a DNP when he was about to break that Cleveland franchise record).

He wouldn't need to uproot his family right this second. It's only going to be three months, pretty sure an NBA player can manage. And then he'll figure out his future in the summer, like he was going to have to do anyway.

[MHZ]

I really don't think he stands to play much more here. The question becomes when he plays. Do you want him playing with Lawson? Probably not. Z can't play at the pace that Denver needs to play at with Lawson handling the ball. I just can't see George playing those two together much, especially because he stresses that pace-pushing, "energy" group off the bench. So then, you'd assume he'd play with Billups handling the ball. Still a little dicey, considering Z won't be starting here unless somebody's out with an injury. There just aren't a ton of minutes I can see Karl playing him.

As far as the other stuff, I still think it mostly has to do with ill will toward being traded. If he distrusts the Cleveland organization, then sure, I can see how that elevates our status. I just don't see that right now, unless he's incredible at hiding it. LBJ was more outwardly pissed at the DNP thing than Z was. I think he may get the feeling that if CLE is going to win the title this year, as many seem to think, he doesn't want to miss out on it.

Either way, it's a long shot.

[JRMelo15]

Well we have to sign him prior to March 1st so I doubt he'll change his mind by then and sign with us or Hawks, he'll most likely head back to Cleveland.

Another player that I've read about that the Nuggets are interested in is Mikki Moore. I don't know if he's any better than Petro though. But if we sign him I think George will give Moore some playing time and we'll see a 9 man rotation for the playoffs.

[MHZ]

And actually, I was under the impression we couldn't offer more than Cleveland. We're both offering our Bi-Annual Exception. Atlanta, with their MLE, was the team that could offer more.

I could easily be wrong, I haven't paid ultra-close attention to it.

[MHZ]

Well we have to sign him prior to March 1st so I doubt he'll change his mind by then and sign with us or Hawks, he'll most likely head back to Cleveland.

Another player that I've read about that the Nuggets are interested in is Mikki Moore. I don't know if he's any better than Petro though. But if we sign him I think George will give Moore some playing time and we'll see a 9 man rotation for the playoffs.

In order to be eligible for the playoffs, you just have to be waived by March 1st, which he was. He can sign on the last day of the regular season if he wants, and he'd be eligible for the playoffs. The issue is as time goes on, it becomes more clear he's waiting those 30 days. No reason to sit out valuable games he could be learning to fit in on a new team if he doesn't have to.

[DaFan334]

we should have our answer by the end of the weekend if he becomes a free agent today. If he isnt signed by monday hes going back to the cavs and maybe forcing the nba to change that terrible rule. Wark might be able to work some sort of magic but im not getting my hopes up too much. A lineup with him at center and nene at power forward would be nice to have to stack up against the Lakers at times.

[J Smitty]

'Tis true. Although I believe his agent did say he would listen to all offers this week, and make a decision by the weekend. So whenever he officially decides to go back to Cleveland, I believe they are going to actually say so.

[and one]

Picking up Z would definatly help us big time. But i got a question....if someone is sent to the D-leauge, are all teams vulnerable to pick them up? Such as Thabeet?

[el loco]

Picking up Z would definatly help us big time. But i got a question....if someone is sent to the D-leauge, are all teams vulnerable to pick them up? Such as Thabeet?

No, Memphis still owns his rights. It is the same thing Denver did with Sonny Weems.

[eathy]

Can Tony Battie be bought out?

[DaFan334]

yeah... not sure that its in the works, but Battie would be a nice addition as well.

[basketballdario]

Can Tony Battie be bought out?

There was news of that happening like 3 weeks ago before the deadline, but I haven't seen anything since about that. I think him or Z would be good additions, I like both of them, although Z is much more talented offensively (and Battie is accordingly a better defender)