Center forfeited $1.5M to become free agent
Center Zydrunas Ilgauskas has been waived by the Washington Wizards after the team completed an anticipated buyout of the 7-foot-3 center’s contract. The move also concluded the shedding of more than $11 million from the Wizards’ payroll over the last two weeks.
According to a source familiar with the terms of the settlement, Ilgauskas forfeited $1.5 million in order to become a free agent, helping to put Washington about $1.8 million underneath the league’s luxury tax threshold this season.
By coming in under the tax, the Wizards will receive an estimated rebate of $3.5-4 million from the NBA that is distributed evenly among the teams under the tax and paid for by teams that go over it.
Ilgauskas never played for the Wizards after being acquired from Cleveland last week in a three-team trade that in part sent forward Antawn Jamison to the Cavaliers and Los Angeles Clippers forward Al Thornton to Washington. Ilgauskas reported to Washington for a physical on Feb. 19 and immediately returned to Cleveland, where he has spent his entire 12-year career.
The 34-year-old Lithuanian could rejoin the Cavaliers after 30 days for the prorated veteran’s minimum salary, but at least four teams, including Dallas, Denver, Atlanta and Utah, have expressed interest and could sign him immediately.
The Wizards (20-35) could’ve used the 7.5 points and 5.3 rebounds that Ilgauskas has averaged this season, but with the team in rebuilding mode, they are committed to the development of Andray Blatche and JaVale McGee.
“Don’t get me wrong,” said Wizards head coach Flip Saunders. “Would I like to have him? Yeah, because I think he is a hell of a player, and he knows how to play, and he can help younger players. They can learn from him. But it just didn’t work out.”
