Zydrunas Ilgauskas' six-year, $70.8 million contract expires Friday.

``Zydrunas is going to go into free agency and see what's out there are on the market,'' Ilgauskas' agent, Herb Rudoy, said Monday. ``That is a final decision, we have no interest in making to a deal with the Cavs before Friday.''

Danny Ferry said during his introductory news conference that he wants to keep Ilgauskas. According to insiders, Ferry told Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert during his interview for the job that he felt keeping Ilgauskas was important.

``I'm very hopeful Zydrunas will be back here,'' Ferry said. ``I know he has tough decisions ahead of him, hopefully the decision is to remain in Cleveland.''

Initial discussions about a contract extension for Ilgauskas failed during the regular season. A person with knowledge of the talks said it has to do with the length of the contract as much as it is about money. Rudoy is believed to be shooting for a five-year deal, and the Cavaliers were looking for a three-year pact.

There are also complex issues over how the contract will be insured due to Ilgauskas' history of foot problems.

It isn't clear whether Ferry will even negotiate with Rudoy or allow another member of his staff do it because of how close he is to Ilgauskas. Rudoy said it certainly won't be a factor on his end.

``Yes, Danny is a very good friend,'' Rudoy said. ``But it will have no influence on Zydrunas' decision.''