Cavaliers General Manager Danny Ferry wants to ease any high expectations of newly acquired center Martynas Andriuskevicius, who was obtained from the Orlando Magic in exchange for a second#-#round pick next season in 2006 and cash-RD%>.
"He's 19 years old, and you were a little spoiled with another 19-year-old around here," said Ferry, referring to LeBron James' rookie season. "Most 19-year-olds have to take time to develop. I would assume that will be needed [with Andriuskevicius]. For him to compete in the NBA, he'll have to get stronger."
Before the draft, Andriuskevicius, who was obtained Tuesday from the Orlando Magic in exchange for a second-round pick in 2006 and cash, was projected as a lottery pick but that certainly changed.
"I don't know what happened," Ferry said. "A lot of it is that people think he needs to get stronger and that's something that we'll try to address."
The Cavs will focus immediately on strength issues with the 7-2, 240-pound Andriuskevicius, and leave any skill concerns until next week's summer league begins in Las Vegas.
"I'll play the game and have fun," Andriuskevicius said.
Andriuskevicius is a native of Kaunas, Lithuania, same as Zydrunas Ilgauskas is from-RD%>.
"I met Z [for the first time Wednesday] and he can be a great friend for me," Andriuskevicius said. "I can learn a lot from him."