Via the Twitter account of Brian Windhorst, the news has broken. Z will return to the Cavs.
However, he will not enter into contract negotiations until March 22nd, just before he is permitted by NBA rules to play for Cleveland again.
This is just speculation, but Ilgauskas had mentioned that he was wary of forcing the Cavs to cut a player to make room for his return, so perhaps his contract talks being postponed are his way of allowing either Danny Green or Darnell Jackson a little more time with their team before they have to leave and create a roster spot.
Z's agent has officially stated that the fans' support was key in his decision.
Welcome home, Z!
0 recs | 33 comments
Great news. Why won’t Telfair be the guy who is cut?
JulioBernazard - March 4, 2010
Telffair has a player option next year for 2.7 million, so i imagine the cavs would keep him. plus he is a capable backup point guard next year. unfortunately, darnell jackson becomes expendable. he wouldnt see any court time with Z coming back and Powe being healthy anyway.
rockybrown - March 4, 2010
Telfair? Eh, not so much. Boobie AND Delonte are much, much better. He’d have to play behind all of them. We’re talking 4th string point guard, and not a good one at that.
Simmsinns - March 5, 2010
We have too many bigs, not so many point guards.
CavsLebronFan - March 5, 2010
sad to see a guy cut, but DJ is gone
rockybrown - March 4, 2010
AWWWWWWW YEEEEEAAAAAHHHHHH!
WaveOcean - March 4, 2010
THANK GOD!!!!!!!
SouthBayBuckeye - March 4, 2010
Good News!
I am a Blazer fan first, but I love Lebron and want to see the Cav’s win a title this year. If we can’t beat LA then you guy’s have to do it for us. Having Big Z is key to that goal.
Medhast - March 4, 2010
You said it
I hope you guys can make the playoffs!
WaveOcean - March 4, 2010
Stop ganging up on us!
Gil Meriken - March 5, 2010
I promise as soon as the Cavs win a Championship we’ll stop picking on you guys.
CavsLebronFan - March 5, 2010
I guarantee that as soon as the Cavs win a championshbip, we’ll START picking on them. They ain’t seen nothin yet
Jeff at the BBC - March 5, 2010 via mobile
False, I'll always be a Laker hater
living in LA and hearing all the outright homerism will do that to ya.
SouthBayBuckeye - March 5, 2010
you don’t even need to be in LA to hear the outright homerism…just read anything JA Adande writes.
bross09 - March 5, 2010
He's almost as bad as Jalen Rose still riding that Celetics bandwagon in to the gound
SouthBayBuckeye - March 5, 2010
You can add Kenny Smith to that list too. He wants to have Kobe’s children also.
Simmsinns - March 5, 2010
you mean he hasn't already?
SouthBayBuckeye - March 5, 2010
In other news today
The Celtics signed Michael Finley. As Pounding the Rock would say, “Look out LA! Clippers, that is…”
WaveOcean - March 4, 2010
Hey, now
Dont bash the Celtics. They’re the best team ever when they’re healthy, don’t you know that?
/sarcasm
Jeff at the BBC - March 5, 2010
“Because they’ve been there and done it before!”
Simmsinns - March 5, 2010
Hey
One can only hope that “principle” is true for the Mo and the rest of the supporting cast, not a repeat of last year’s choke job.
Lex L. - March 5, 2010
Just what they need, another guy well into his 30’s…
CavsLebronFan - March 5, 2010
lol yea i know right. but back on topic i jus wanted to say…WELCOME BACK HOME BIG Z. CLEVELAND LOVES YOU LIKE A BROTHER!
eye_was_born_ready - March 5, 2010
yep…a 37 year old jump shooter.
I wonder what Under-30 bench player they will cut to make room.
bross09 - March 5, 2010
I coulda swore Finley was older than 37....
didn’t he play with Bob McAdoo back in the day?
SouthBayBuckeye - March 5, 2010
Experience, baby.
NormanConquest - March 5, 2010
ZING
wait, are you serious?
SouthBayBuckeye - March 5, 2010
Zeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!
Bernie19Kosar - March 5, 2010
I have tickets to the March 28 game against the Kings, and I just realized that if Z signs on the 22nd then that will be the first home game when he’ll be back!! That will be exciting! I’ll be standing to give him a huge ovation when he’s introduced (since I assume he’ll be in the starting lineup) along with the rest of the crowd, I’m sure.
Buckeye Brad - March 5, 2010
I might have to get
cheapseats to this one also! Z has been a long time favorite Cav. When I first read this I was happy, though not surprised, and thought I’d have to see when his first home game back was. Hope they’v got some under $20. I’ll be wearing my #11 jersey, if they do.Simmsinns - March 5, 2010
Very glad to hear Z is on his way back. I don’t believe for a minute he was upset with us for trading him. He knows Jamison coming here gives him a better chance of finally getting that ring he wants so bad, and on top of that he got a 30 day vacation so he’ll be fresh when it counts. As for the money he loses, the way i see it (and the way i think he sees it) is that it evens out the money he got while injured.
We’ve been good to him over the years and he’s been good to us, so it’s fitting that he finally wins a championship with the team he’s been with his entire career in what could be his final season.
CavsLebronFan - March 5, 2010
YEAH!!!!!!
emily522 - March 5, 2010
Congratulations, Ohioans
Maybe it’s hyperbolic on my part, but I’m guessing you are his adoptive homeland, and he your adopted son. Us Canadians can’t say the same thing, not with VC, McGrady, Camby, Damon Stoudamire, or any past big name that’s played for the Raptors. Hell, we know with Chris Bosh, it’s not a matter of if he’s leaving, it’s when. He could stay for a while, but inevitably, he’ll go the KG manner, either the GM having pity on him, or he himself getting tired of being first round fodder.
Lex L. - March 5, 2010
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