Zydrunas

Ilgauskas

They’ve been exploring some three-way deals with teams. It’s believed that coach Paul Silas wants a more athletic center than Ilgauskas and could be targeting Jermaine O’Neal. Davis would probably go only if the Cavs thought they could get a top shooter in return.

This is newsworthy because Z has always been disappointing as a shot blocker. His previous career high was 1.88 blocks per game, but he’s up to 2.39 this season. The reason? Coach Paul Silas says it’s simply because he’s trying, which may have something to do with his feet finally being 100 percent.

He’ll be in the starting lineup against the Sixers tonight.

In Saturday’s win, Ilgauskas finished with 22 points, 12 rebounds, two blocked shots and a steal, and also made just the second 3-pointer of his career. Coach Paul Silas says the big man has picked up his intensity since the defensive-minded players from Boston arrived. As long as Z remains healthy, he may be the top center in the Eastern Conference.

Good news for the Cavs. Although there was some talk in the first half of the season that Ilgauskas was a trade candidate because he wasn’t fitting in well on what was becoming LeBron James’ team, he’s expected back as Cleveland’s center next season.

Seems like too much of a downgrade at center for Cleveland. It’s not very likely that a deal will happen.

Martynas Andriuskevicius, the much-hyped center prospect acquired last year, is reportedly nowhere close to being Ilgauskas’ backup this year. Ilgauskas averaged a respectable 15.6 PPG and 7.4 RPG last season.

Ilgauskas made 10-of-13 shots from the field.

He played very well in Games 5 and 6 after not getting much run early in this series. He hit 8-of-11 shots and blocked two shots as well.

Big Z played 14 seasons in the NBA, along the way overcoming a string of serious foot injuries, personal problems and even insomnia. He’ll finish his NBA career with averages of 13.0 points, 7.3 rebounds and 1.6 blocks per game. The Cavaliers have unofficially decided to retire his jersey, which is only appropriate -- he spent his entire career with Cleveland before following LeBron to Miami for the 2010-11 season.