UPDATED: 4:15 p.m.

LAS VEGAS -- Saying he's chasing a dream to win an NBA title, Zydrunas Ilgauskas is leaving the Cavaliers after 14 seasons to join LeBron James and the Miami Heat.

The Cavs had a contract offer on the table and told Ilgauskas he was always welcome with the organization, but with the team in rebuilding mode, Ilgauskas chose to accept a two-year, $2.8 million offer in Miami. The second year will likely be a player option.

"It was a tough decision for me; very emotional," Ilgauskas told The Plain Dealer. "I spent 14 years of my life here. I came in as a young boy and grew up to be a man. Cleveland had a lot to do with that."

The Heat, who had no centers under contract, began recruiting Ilgauskas after James signed last week. James was part of the recruitment effort.

"Obviously (LeBron) related how much he'd like for me to join him," Ilgauskas said. "I looked at all my options. When I stepped away from all the hoopla that surrounded free agency, from a basketball standpoint, for me personally, it was the best decision I could have made."

James reacted to Ilgauskas' decision on his Twitter feed Tuesday.

"Welcome Big Z. Glad u are joining me in South Beach my friend. Also thanks for the encouraging words big fella," James wrote.

Ilgauskas is the Cavs franchise's all-time leader in games played (771), rebounds (5,904) and blocks (1,269) and is second in points (10,616). He made All-Star appearances in 2003 and 2005 after recovering from reconstructive surgery on his foot.

Last season was a difficult one for Ilgauskas as he moved to the bench for the first time to back up Shaquille O'Neal. Then he was traded in February as the Cavs acquired Antawn Jamison. He took a buyout from the Washington Wizards and returned to the Cavs a month later but had lost his rhythm and his spot in the rotation and he did not play strongly down the stretch.

He averaged 7.4 and 5.4 rebounds in his final year with the team.

One of the better offensive rebounders in NBA history with 2,336 of them, Ilgauskas is still effective with his mid-range jump shot. The Heat have been looking for big men after letting their starting center, Jermaine O'Neal, leave in free agency.

The Cavs and Heat were one of six teams to show interest in Ilgauskas.

"I don't have to tell you how much I love Cleveland," Ilgauskas said. "I know I'm from Lithuania, but Cleveland will always be my home. I love the people of Cleveland. But at some point in life, life changes and you have to move on. I'm not going anywhere. I'll be back in the summer. I'm just changing my workplace.

"I've been a loyal soldier for 14 years. I just feel it's time for me to go and chase my dream of winning a ring. If I'm fortunate enough to do that, a lot of me will thank Cleveland for it."

Mary Schmitt Boyer contributed to this story.