Although the Dan Gilbert era in Cleveland has gotten off to a not so spectacular start, a solid off-season showing could go a long way in excusing the first-year owner?s early faux pas.

 As we know, the Cavs took a steep nose dive ? ending all post-season aspirations - upon Gilbert?s arrival as he tried to clean house on the fly, and we?re still waiting word on how the Larry Brown fiasco will play itself out.  But with roughly $25 million or so of cap room to maneuver with this summer, Cleveland not only looks to be a major player in the free-agent market, but, with the right moves, could find themselves in the thick of the Eastern Conference playoff picture a year from now.

 A successful off-season may also go a very long way in securing the long-term viability of LeBron James in a Cavs uniform, as the phenom expressed on more than one occasion last season that he won?t be around past his rookie contract if significant additions aren?t made.

 One thing is for sure, with Gilbert already emerging into a George Steinbrenner/Jerry Jones/Al Davis type figure in his four short months on the job ? in other words, to put it kindly, a proactive owner ? Cleveland, for better or worse, figures to be the team we spend most of the summer talking about.

 ?Worse,? you say?  

 Yes.  Potentially, because, as we?ve seen in the past with teams who have boat loads of cap room to work with, money doesn?t necessarily buy you love or translate into success on the court.    

 Just ask the likes of former Bulls GM Jerry Krause, who had roughly $20 million of cap room to work with in the summer of 2000 but couldn?t land one major free agent among the many that were available that year (Tim Duncan, Tracy McGrady, Grant Hill, Jalen Rose, Tim Thomas, Eddie Jones).  

 The plan, initially, was for the Bulls braintrust to come away with the pair of McGrady and Jones.  However, both players opted to play near their respective home towns (Orlando and Miami).  Hill joined McGrady in Orlando, while Duncan, Rose and Thomas re-signed with their current teams at the time (San Antonio, Indiana and Milwaukee respectively).  

 Krause was left with the modest options of Ron Mercer and Brad Miller (Miller would turn out to be a good pick-up).  A year later, once again with money to blow, Krause would commit one of the monumental gaffes in free-agent history when he signed Eddie Robinson to a six-year, $31 million deal.  

 Robinson?s Windy City legacy?  Well, probably his nickname (Robinson will be forever known to Bulls fans as ?E-Robbery? for all the money he stole from the organization).  

 ?It wasn?t so much a rejection of Chicago,? Bulls owner Jerry Reinsdorf said at the time, ?as it was other considerations that compelled those individuals to make the decisions that they made to play for the teams they chose to play for.?  

 That?s one way of spinning it.  

 As great as LeBron is, and will be in the next couple of years, we know the Cavs need help in some major areas (shooting guard and point guard) in order to contend, but pieces, with the right kind of money to throw around, that can be had.

 Milwaukee?s Michael Redd has been a name associated with the Cavs since last season.  James has been pushing the Ohio State product to play by his side, and now that the spending season is finally upon us, the Redd-to-Cleveland possibility could become a reality.  

 Redd would give the Cavs the perimeter shooting the team so desperately needs.  He would give James a viable option to dish the ball to out of double teams ? which James didn?t have a season ago.  Just imagine Redd with open looks at the basket all game long.  

 A dreamy scenario, isn?t it?  

 The problem with Redd, however, is that he?ll be looking for max money, and Milwaukee, who has said all along that they intend to keep him, can offer the most lucrative contract out there.  Redd has also stated in the past that he will give the Bucks every opportunity of retaining his services.  And with the selection of Utah center Andrew Bogut in Tuesday?s draft and point guard T.J. Ford?s medical clearance to return to contract drills, Milwaukee may just be a more attractive situation for Redd.

 Ray Allen is another name often associated with Cleveland, but he?s in a similar situation as Redd.  Allen may likely remain in Seattle, since the Sonics can offer him more money than anyone else.  Although Allen and the Sonics tried feverishly during the season to sign an extension to no avail, don?t be surprised if the UConn product remains in the Emerald City.

 Then, there?s center Zydrunas Ilgauskas, who the Cavs would like to retain, but at what price?  ?Z? is a top center in the league, but age and injury concerns raise serious red flags.  Ilgauskas stayed relatively healthy a season ago, but the last thing Cleveland wants is to commit big money to someone who could wind up being dead weight as early as next season.  

 Bulls center Eddy Curry, a restricted free agent, has also been on James? wish list, but Curry, especially now that he is expected to be cleared to resume physical activity, is likely staying put in Chicago, as general manager John Paxson has repeatedly stressed his desire to keep Curry and fellow big man Tyson Chandler, another restricted free agent, in the fold.  

 Sixers restricted free agent center Samuel Dalembert may be one of the more intriguing talents available and a contingency plan should the Cavs fail to re-sign Ilgauskas or land Curry, but you expect Philadelphia GM Billy King to match any offers, especially with Jim O?Brien ? the primary culprit in Dalembert?s lack of progression until late in the season - now out of the picture.  

 So, with the free-agent period now underway, could Gilbert, with his abundance of riches, find himself on the outside looking in?  Could Cleveland really leave the free-agent pool empty-handed?  Could we have another Krause scenario on our hands here?    

 For Gilbert?s sake, we hope not.  LeBron?s future in Cleveland depends on it.  

 Kostas.Bolos@realgm.com