Zydrunas Ilgauskas' bad lower back is worrisome for the Cavaliers, and it might call for some long-term consideration.

The Cavs have known for years his back could be a problem, and Ilgauskas has suffered for some time now. He's been treating it with the same diligence that he does his feet, part of a complex maintenance routine designed by the Cavs doctors and athletic trainer Max Benton that has been a smashing success, all things considered.

But the back issues are part of the reason Ilgauskas struggled in back-to-back games in the past several seasons. Now he's got a bulging disc and he's treating it and crossing his fingers that rest and painkillers will improve it enough to get back on the court. There's no guarantee that it won't recur later in the season.

This setback for Ilgauskas might affect his decision to attempt to play for the Lithuanian National Team in the Olympics this summer. Right now he and the Cavs are sort of at an impasse — they don't want him to play and they don't have to let him because his back and feet are not covered by insurance in his contract. The Lithuanians have offered to pay for special insurance. Yet it isn't just an insurance issue; the Cavs believe Z needs the entire offseason to recover from the pounding his body takes.

Ilgauskas, 32, sees it as a final chance to play for his country and potentially the best team they've had in years. There's a chance this could come to a head in a few months, not unlike a standoff the Toronto Raptors had with forward Jorge Garbajosa last summer in a insurance issue after a severe leg injury. The Raptors reluctantly allowed Garbajosa to play for Spain in the European Championships, but lingering problems have knocked him out for this season.

Now Ilgauskas might have to reconsider his stance, especially if his back continues to threaten to keep him off the court. He said he thinks he's got a lot of basketball left in him, but he's been able to play this long with strict management of his body. That process might have to win out.

For the Cavs' front office and one of Ilgauskas' close friends, General Manager Danny Ferry, the plan is to evaluate things after the season. But the increasing fragility of Ilgauskas also brings another issue into view — the need to think of a replacement plan for the franchise center.

Anderson Varejao theoretically could be the Cavs' big man of the future, but they were unable to lock him into a long-term contract and it's yet to be seen whether he can fill that role. New pickup Ben Wallace is older than Ilgauskas and seemingly more effective playing power forward, not center.

Which is why the Cavs have to be considering using a draft pick in June on a big man they can develop. With a first-round pick likely in the 20s, it probably can't be an immediate impact player. But Ilgauskas was found with the 20th pick by Wayne Embry in 1996, so bargains are sometimes available.

For years, Ilgauskas has been a rock in the middle for the Cavs and he likely will continue to be. This injury, though, is a reminder that he won't be forever.

Dribbles

• Ira Newble cleared waivers last week and is now a free agent. According to sources, the Cavs do have interest in bringing him back and even left his locker open when their six new players arrived. He is eligible to rejoin the Cavs on March 22, but could sign with any other team between now and then. The Cavs, it seems, are being conservative as they have been very careful not to violate any NBA procedures and avoid any implication that there was a prearranged deal for Newble to return when they sent him to the Seattle SuperSonics.

Last month, the NBA office blocked a deal the Dallas Mavericks had with the New Jersey Nets to trade, cut and then re-sign Jerry Stackhouse. The San Antonio Spurs were more coy and Brent Barry played along, but some in the league, especially Phoenix Suns General Manager Steve Kerr, believe there was a plan in place when the Spurs traded Barry to the Sonics for Kurt Thomas last month. Barry was released and plans to re-sign with the Spurs after spurning advances by the Suns.

• Everybody knows Wallace is a poor free-throw shooter, but he's also got another bad habit that has shown up since he came to the Cavs: setting moving screens. The Cavs' offense has him active on the wings setting picks and he has a tendency to slide through them and has been hit numerous times already for setting illegal picks.

• Former Cavs forward Donyell Marshall had an incident with Sonics coach P.J. Carlesimo last week. There was an argument over a defensive assignment, the two exchanged words on the bench and Marshall, who threw a water bottle, was benched for the rest of the game. Both have downplayed the incident since, but knowing Marshall there is no doubt he's struggled emotionally, moving from a veteran playoff team to a young struggling team.