Back-to-back seasons of 19 and 21 wins, respectively, have left the Cavs' faithful wondering where this is all heading.
They'll get another high draft pick this year. If it works out even close to their first pick in 2011 (guard Kyrie Irving), they'll be thrilled. In essence, the Cavs aren't that far from being decent. They need a high-scoring wing player, another legitimate big and some quality depth and they could be right back in the hunt.
The Cavs were right in the thick of things when center Anderson Varejao was injured. He had the ball under the basket in a Feb. 10 game against Milwaukee. Bucks forward-center Drew Gooden chopped at the ball and got all wrist. Varejao's right wrist was fractured, which ended his season. He's such an important player for the Cavs. Unfortunately, he's not been able to stay healthy. He's missed a combined 92 of 148 games in the last two years.
The final straw came about a month later. Cavs general manager Chris Grant dealt backup guard Ramon Sessions and guard-forward Christian Eyenga to the Los Angeles Lakers on March 15 for a first-round pick, forward Luke Walton and forward Jason Kapono (who was waived).
The Cavs were only 1 1/2 games out of the No. 8 playoff spot at the time of the trade. Things unraveled quickly thereafter. Grant went out and replaced Sessions with D-League star Donald Sloan, but the trend had already started.
They quickly dropped to the bottom of the Central Division standings where they stayed for the rest of the year. That makes two consecutive years in the Central basement, something that hasn't been done in more than 20 years.
The Cavs have four draft picks in the top 35 or so selections in the 2012 draft. The Lakers' pick is about No. 25 overall. They also own New Orleans' second-round pick, which could be No. 32 overall, as well as their own second-rounder. This is a talent-rich draft, so they'll have opportunities to make strides.
They also have more than $20 million in salary cap space. Grant isn't a big proponent of signing high-priced free agents. But a team can do a lot with that kind of space, such as making a trade.
SEASON HIGHLIGHT: The Cavs knew they had something special in G Kyrie Irving before he played a game. The favorite to win the Rookie of the Year award developed into quasi-superstar early on, and is already among the top 10 point guards in the NBA. He averaged 18.5 points and 5.4 assists in 51 games this season. His 26-point effort against future Hall of Fame G Steve Nash of the Phoenix Suns in only his 11th NBA game proved he was the real deal.
TURNING POINT: When C Anderson Varejao fractured his right wrist, the Cavs were 10-15. They were 1 1/2 games out of the No. 8 playoff spot in the Eastern Conference at the time. From the time of the injury, they won just 11 of the last 41 games. Once again, injuries have torn the heart out of a season.
Jamison likely to have new team next season
--F Antawn Jamison has played his final game with the Cavs. Some thought there was a chance he'd return next season, but he closed the door on that thinking after the final home game on April 25. "I thank the organization," he said. "I enjoyed playing for Mr. (Dan) Gilbert, the training staff and the coaching staff. It was fun. I've enjoyed it. I think we both have (made up our mind). It's time for me to move on. I don't know what the future holds. I have a good feeling this is my last (game with the Cavs), in general. I think (the writing is) on the wall. I wish these guys great luck." He'll be an unrestricted free agent after this season and he wants to play for a contender next year. "The only thing left for me to do is have my last name associated with a champion," he said.
--F-C Tristan Thompson can't wait to start working with retired Cavs C Zydrunas Ilgauskas. "Big Z was a great center," he said. "He can definitely shoot it. He had great post moves. I'm going to take a lot from his playbook." Thompson, the No. 4 overall pick in the 2011 draft, started the last 25 games at center. He said he's not been coached by a big man in high school, AAU or college. "Most of the coaches are between 5-11 and 6-2," he said. "They've never played the post in their life. It's definitely tough when you don't have big men working with you. When you get to the pros, they have coaches for the bigs. You have to take advantage of it. Big Z has had a great career. Having him here will be big for all of our bigs."
QUOTE TO NOTE: "Coach (Byron Scott) said I'd get 10 minutes. I got 9:47. He owes me 13 seconds. Hopefully, I'll have some rollover minutes next season." -- Guard Kyrie Irving on his playing time in the final home game vs. Washington on April 25.
Roster Report
MOST VALUABLE PLAYER: G Kyrie Irving is more of a shoot-first point guard, and can he ever shoot. He shot 46.9 percent from the field, 39.9 percent from the 3-point line and 87.2 percent from the foul line. When he's in the lineup, it adds confidence to the rest of the team. They feel they can beat almost anyone with him in the game.
MOST DISAPPOINTING PLAYER: F Omri Casspi came over from the Sacramento Kings last June for F-C J.J. Hickson. It's hard to say who was more disappointing: Casspi or Hickson. The Kings waived Hickson, who finished the year with Portland. Casspi averaged 7.1 points and 3.5 rebounds, but couldn't get the job done in the starting lineup. He played a bit better coming off the bench.
BIGGEST NEEDS: The Cavs need to add a high-scoring wing, a player who can shoot from the perimeter. Irving can penetrate at will. He found open teammates all season, but they couldn't convert open shots. A consistent jump shooter -- one who actually made shots -- would be a major addition. Two names that come to mind in the draft are Florida's Bradley Beal and North Carolina's Harrison Barnes.
FREE AGENT FOCUS: Two players can be unrestricted free agents: G-F Anthony Parker and F Antawn Jamison. Parker will either sign with a contending team or retire. It doesn't appear that he will return. Jamison said he'd also like to play with a contending team. He said he will not be back with the team. The Cavs have several players who can be restricted free agents, including C Semih Erden, F Luke Harangody and F Alonzo Gee. They'll be restricted if the Cavs make qualifying offers to them. Erden's qualifying offer, for instance, is worth about $1.1 million. If he's offered that kind of money, he'll likely take it. They'd like to sign Gee to a multiyear deal, and he deserves some security for the first time in his career.
PLAYER NOTES:
--Perhaps the Cavs found another D-League gem. G-F D.J. Kennedy paced the Cavs with 12 points and six rebounds in his NBA debut against Washington on April 25. "I was definitely excited," he said. "It was exciting to hear my name called. I had no idea I was going to play. I was told to be ready. It's definitely nice when that first shot went down." He was signed for the rest of the season and next year on April 21 after a successful season for the D-League Erie BayHawks. The left-hander said he can play point guard, shooting guard and small forward. Coach Byron Scott said the 6-foot-6, 215-pounder is not a great shooter, but is a scorer. He played all four years at St. John's. "For his first (NBA) game, I thought he did well," Scott said. The Cavs ended the season with four rookies on the roster, as well as four more that have one year's experience under their belt.
--G Kyrie Irving is not thrilled that he missed 15 games this season. He missed games with a concussion, a sprained right shoulder and the stomach flu. He said he didn't want to miss any games this season, especially after playing in just 11 games as a freshman at Duke last year. Some are starting to wonder if he's injury-prone, and these injuries will continue to linger for his entire career. "At this point, it's about my health and being smart," he said.
--Cavs coach Byron Scott, 51, is now a proud grandfather. Scott's daughter, LonDen, recently gave birth to a baby girl. Scott said he'll return home to Los Angeles on Saturday for a couple weeks to recharge the batteries and to meet his granddaughter, Kayla, for the first time. Scott thought about flying to LA from Memphis, Tenn., after the Cavs' game on April 23, but he wouldn't have made it in time for Kayla's birth. When he returns to Cleveland, the Cavs will start some individual workouts with his current players and start preparing for the June 28 NBA draft.
MEDICAL WATCH:
--C Anderson Varejao (broken right wrist) was injured against Milwaukee on Feb. 10. He should be ready to play for Brazil in the Summer Olympics. Players must report to Brazil's training camp on June 10.
--G Daniel Gibson (foot surgery) had surgery on April 2 to repair the torn tendon in left foot. He was injured against New Jersey on March 19. The Cavs expect him to be ready for training camp.
--C Semih Erden (sprained right ankle) was injured on April 11. He's ready to resume basketball activity, but the season is over.
