''With Shawn (Kemp), if he wasn't that player you felt you could build around and win with, you had to tear it down,'' Paxson said. ''We've been tearing it down to build it back up. There isn't a quick fix for it. Now we have to make deals to add to this team and make it better and not take any more steps back.''

He said he doesn't anticipate wholesale changes this offseason, but he's expected to make some moves. He said there are no untouchables on the team, including point guard Andre Miller.

This is the offseason the Cavs are expected to trade either Lamond Murray or Wesley Person (or both). They could also deal their first-round pick after the draft in their pursuit of a veteran wing player.

''I want us to be better at home (they were 20-21 this year) and be fighting for a playoff spot,'' Paxson said. ''We'll have to be around the 40-win mark (to get into the playoffs).''

Cleveland finished 29-53 in Coach John Lucas' first year. The stretch of 15 losses in 16 games in January sucked the life out of the team. They still competed to the very end, however, even when there was nothing to play for but pride.

''(Miller and center Zydrunas Ilgauskas) gives you a good foundation,'' Paxson said. I'm not predicting playoffs, but that's our goal. It's got to be our goal based on what's happened the last couple of years. We've taken our lumps and moved some contracts. Now it's time to step forward.''

http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=4001509&BRD=1699&PAG=461&dept_id=46370&rfi=6

In light of the news that the Cavs are sending to the league, I put up a trade with the Cavs to somehow get their pick in order for the Knicks to have 2 early 1st round picks ..

New York trades:
SG Latrell Sprewell
PG Charlie Ward (contract ends 2003)
PF Othella Harrington
Cash considerations

New York receives:
SF Lamond Murray
SG Wesley Person
PF Tyrone Hill
C Michael Doleac
1st early round draft pick (2002)

TRADE ID = 547870

Cavs

C Zydrunas Ilgauskas - Chris Mihm
PF Othella Harrington - Brian Skinner
SF Ricky Davis - Jumaine Jones
SG Latrell Sprewell - Jeff Trepagnier
PG Andre Miller - Charlie Ward

Knicks

C Yao Ming - Michael Doleac
PF Kurt Thomas - Marcus Camby
SF Qyntel Woods - Lamond Murray
SG Allan Houston - Wesley Person
PG Mark Jackson - Jiri Welsch*

* Jiri Welsch is picked with our 2nd rounder

Lamond Murray still has game and could back-up or start over rookie Qyntel Woods .. Either way he'll be a great pick-up ..

Wesley Person is a nice shooter and could come off the bench replacing Houston .. That way we wouldn't be losing a player who is a threat beyond the arc ..

Tyrone Hill's contract runs out after next season ..

Good trade for the Knicks don't you say?

[Edited by - DaKidd on 05/01/2002 12:04:47]

I would want Miller if we were to trade Spree. Maybe Sprewell and our pick for Miller and Illguaskus or something like that. Person for Jackson or Ward could also be included in the deal.