INDEPENDENCE, Ohio — They are two of the Cavaliers’ elder statesmen and they might be heading on diverging paths after Cleveland fell to the Orlando Magic in the Eastern Conference finals Saturday night at Amway Arena.

Both are under contract for next year. Ben Wallace is reportedly guaranteed to make $14 million in the final year of the mega-deal he signed with the Chicago Bulls several years back, and Zydrunas Ilgauskas, the veteran Cavs center, holds the key to his future with a player option for about $11 million.
While Wallace celebrated a championship with the Detroit Pistons in 2004, Ilgauskas is still waiting his turn. He thought this year was his best shot. Instead, he will be watching the NBA Finals at home.
“To be honest, it really hasn’t sunk in yet. Just disappointment, I guess. We had a great regular season; we just loss, I guess, to a better team,” Ilgauskas said. “They played better than us these last couple of weeks, made the shots when they counted and really made us work for everything we got, so it’s a disappointment.”
After returning from foot operations early in his career, Ilgauskas hungers for that championship ring. It would be the ultimate payoff for the suffering.
“Not winning a championship, just realizing how close we were, it really hurts because you never know when you’re going to get that chance again,” he said. “Not winning it all leaves a bad taste in your mouth.”
That could be the reason that Ilgauskas will probably return to the Cavaliers next season.
“That’s been my thought process all along. I’m going to be 34 years old next week, so there are no greener pastures for me. I’m a Cavalier,” he said. “I’ve always been a Cavalier, so unless something changes drastically, that’s what I intend to do.”
Wallace, 34, was in a different place Sunday afternoon.
Given the reputation Wallace has acquired as an enforcer, some might be shocked to learn just how thoughtful the Cavs’ forward can be.
But after being injured more this season than at any other point in his career, Wallace might not be willing to lace his sneakers up for one more season.
“I have to sit down and talk to my family and see how I feel this summer,” Wallace said. “It ain’t getting no easier for me. It’s tough going out there every night with something hurting, not being able to give the effort you want to give. I love the game and respect the game too much to be going out there half-hearted.”
Wallace said this incarnation of the Cavaliers was just a few possessions away from being where it wanted and expected when the season began: the NBA Finals. He looked forward to winning another championship ring.
“I’ve been to the top, but wouldn’t we like to say we finished at the top? I’ve been there, but I wasn’t finished,” he said. “That’s why I want to finish. That’s why I do the things that I do to try to take care of my body, to stay ready and go out there every night and compete, because I know what it feels like.”
But after recovering from a broken leg, Wallace lost his starting job to Anderson Varejao.
Because of diminished playing time, Wallace seems frustrated, and it may have affected his passion for the game.
During his career, Wallace averaged 10.2 rebounds and 2.1 blocked shots per game. This season, his numbers were down significantly to 6.5 rebounds and 1.3 blocks each game. It’s easy to see why, though he says it’s not etched in stone, he’s mentioning retirement.
“Without trying to point the finger at anybody or place the blame on anybody, but when I see my team struggling and I’m on the sideline watching, that’s a tough pill to swallow,” he said. “It always has been, always will be. . . . Over the last couple of years, I guess I can say some of the passion has been lost.”
For Ilgauskas, it’s different. One more shot will lead him back to Cleveland.
“In my case, I don’t know how many next years I have left,” he said. “I hope that one day I will get the chance to lift the trophy, but obviously you realize how elusive the championship is — how hard it is to win.”