Zydrunas Ilgauskas has decided to return to the only NBA team for which he's played.
He's asked his agent, Herb Rudoy, on Thursday to enter into negotiations with the Cavaliers starting on March 22.
NBA rules prohibit any contract discussions until that date. Rudoy said it's Ilgauskas' desire to return to the Cavs — if a suitable contract can be agreed upon.
Ilgauskas is expected to sign for the pro-rated portion of the Cavs' bi-annual exception worth $1,147,176.
Cavs general manager Danny Ferry was excited about the potentially good news.
"Z is a unique player," Ferry said. "I would think every playoff team out there would have interest in him, and the Cavs would be no different."
Rudoy said the 7-foot-3, 260-pound Ilgauskas was deeply touched by the outpouring of support and affection by the Cavs' fans and his teammates.
"He hopes to return to bring a championship to the Cavs and to the city of Cleveland," Rudoy said.
The kicker might have been when several Cavs players and staff visited Ilgauskas at his Manhattan condo on Tuesday — on the eve of the Nets game in East Rutherford, N.J. — and asked him to come back.
If Ilgauskas returns on March 22, he could make his first appearance in the New Orleans game two days later in Louisiana. He might be eligible to play in the last 11 regular-season games.
Ilgauskas is needed with the thumb surgery to center Shaquille O'Neal, which could wipe out the rest of the latter's regular season and possibly the first round of the playoffs. Second-year big man J.J. Hickson has been starting at center and has played well.
Ilgauskas, 34, averaged 7.5 points, 5.3 rebounds and 0.8 blocks in 53 games with the Cavs this season. He's shooting 45.2 percent from the field and 50 percent from the 3-point line.
The Lithuanian had to soothe his feelings a bit after being traded to the Wizards in a three-team deal that brought Antawn Jamison to the Cavs.
He was hurt by the deal — it was the first time he'd ever been traded — and felt like a "pawn" in the three-team, six-player trade that brought back Antawn Jamison to the Cavs, sources said. Ilgauskas was a first-round pick of the Cavs in 1996.
The Cavs lost Ilgauskas' "Bird" rights when they traded him. They won't be able to go over the cap to re-sign him next year — if he wants to play beyond this season.
Forward/center Anderson Varejao, guard Anthony Parker and strength and conditioning coach Stan Kellers were among the players and staff who visited with Ilgauskas on Tuesday.
Ferry made an appeal on Monday after Ilgauskas cleared waivers.
Quick shots
-- In his last five games, Varejao is shooting 73.7 percent from the field (28 of 38). He was 5 of 5 against the Nets on Wednesday. In that span, he's averaging 13 points and 8.2 rebounds.
-- Guard Daniel Gibson is expected to be available for tonight's game at 7 at Quicken Loans Arena against Detroit. He missed the previous two games because of the birth of his son, Daniel Hiram Gibson Jr.
-- The Cavs haven't faced the Pistons since Nov. 25, when they posted a 98-88 victory at The Palace of Auburn Hills. They have won four in a row against the Pistons.
