Ilgauskas to get buyout soon as Hawks eagerly wait

By Michael Cunningham

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Veteran center Zydrunas Ilgauskas is close to securing a buyout with the Wizards and the Hawks still hope to entice him to sign once he clears waivers.

Enlarge photo

Cleveland Cavaliers' Zydrunas Ilgauskas (11), of Lithuania, and Miami Heat guard Dwyane Wade battle for a rebound in the first quarter of an NBA basketball game Thursday, Feb. 4, 2010, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)

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The Washington Post reported Ilgauskas is expected to agree to a buyout soon that would require him to give back up to $1.5 million of the prorated portion of his $11.5 million salary due. Ilgauskas is in search of a contender after being traded to the rebuilding Wizards and his agent has said he will consider the Hawks once he’s released.

It appears Ilgauskas favors returning to the Cavaliers, who drafted him in 1997. The Cavs would have to wait 30 days to re-sign him while any other team could sign him after a 48-hour waiver period.

The Hawks are among the teams hoping Ilgauskas can be convinced to join them instead. Other teams reported to be interested include Dallas, Denver and Utah.

The feeling in the Hawks locker room is that Ilgauskas would be a good addition.

“We need a guy like that,” said Hawks center Al Horford. “I hope our people can make that happen because he would be a big key for us.”

Ilgauskas would add three elements the Hawks need: size (he’s 7 feet 3, 260 pounds), shooting to stretch the floor and playoff experience (64 games).

“He’s a guy that is good with shooting on the pick-and-pop,” Horford said. “He’s a big body. We already have some of those but you need as many as you can get for the playoffs, especially an experienced guy like that.”