The city of Akron has posted several signs around the limits of the city displaying their pride for LeBron ?King? James.  

In a town with little else going on, the success of the young Caviler phenom has prompted some residents to post signs such as: ?Home of LeBron James 2003-2004 NBA Rookie of the Year.''

LeBron James will represent the US in this summer?s Olympic Games.

The Pacers Al Harrington has been an often rumored player to be moved.  In his exit interview, he reportedly asked to be traded to a team where his role would expand.  Harrington is only 24 years old and could instantly become a second scorer, even on a playoff team.  The most logical fit for Harrington would likely be Cleveland.  Harrington would fit nicely with Lebron James and Carlos Boozer and the Cavs would send the recently drafted wingman from Oregon, Luke Jackson, who Larry Bird is very high on.

Kerry Kittles could be traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers for forward Eric Williams and guard Dajuan Wagner.

Or the Nets could resurrect a trade to send Kittles to Portland for Shareef Abdur-Rahim.

Meanwhile, the Nets have inquired about acquiring Shaquille O'Neal.  Kenyon Martin would have to be part of any blockbuster to bring the big man home to New Jersey.

"Indiana was as talkative as any club yesterday, and among its discussions was a deal to send Al Harrington to Cleveland for the Cavaliers' first-round pick, the 10th over all. The Pacers would use the pick to take the Oregon swingman Luke Jackson, who is believed to be a favorite of Larry Bird, the team's president of basketball operations. Several general managers said Indiana was also looking to trade Ron Artest, its All-Star small forward, but Donnie Walsh, the Pacers' president, denied that."

"We've got a lot of offers for different people," Walsh said. "People are calling us about Ron, but we're not shopping him."

This means that Indy will be looking to make some major moves sometime soon and that CLevelad is looking for immediate help.

Recent reports indicate that Sasha Pavlovic will be traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers.  He will a much needed outside threat, replacing former Bruin, Jason Kapono.

First option: Make a deal

Cavaliers would rather trade for a veteran but taking high schooler possible

By Brian Windhorst

The Cavaliers have their battle plan set for the NBA Draft on Thursday, but they'd sure like to change it.

Though there are glowing reports coming out from various recruiting sources, this draft was believed to be very thin two months ago and nothing has happened since to change most NBA minds.

With the 10th pick of the first round, the Cavaliers will not be getting an impact player. It doesn't mean that they won't find a contributor or even a steal, but the organization isn't pinning its immediate needs at swingman and point guard on this selection.

And that's why the club still would like to deal the pick for an established veteran even up to the last moments on draft night if a player slips and a team behind them is willing to make a deal to move up at the last second. Cavaliers general manager Jim Paxson, like all of his brethren, has been on the phone gauging interest and lining things up so he'll understand his options when the Cavaliers are on the clock.

Here's the breakdown of their draft board, according to sources, scouts and player agents around the league:

? The Cavaliers want one of the top three point guards in the draft: high schooler Shaun Livingston, Devin Harris of Wisconsin or Ben Gordon of Connecticut.

? The Los Angeles Clippers, Phoenix Suns and Toronto Raptors are also in the market for point guards, so there's a real chance all three will be gone by No. 10.

? That means the Cavaliers might turn to a swing player. The top two in the draft, Luol Deng of Duke and Andre Iguodula of Arizona, will be gone. Next on the Cavaliers board are Josh Childress of Stanford and Luke Jackson of Oregon. Most draft prognosticators believe that the Philadelphia 76ers, who pick right before the Cavaliers, will not allow Childress to get by. That should leave Jackson for the Cavaliers.

Gordon, Harris, Childress and Jackson played three years or more at their respective schools in highly successful programs. That fits the Cavaliers' bill: They want players who don't need much polishing to reach their NBA potential. Still, there is a reason those players haven't come out until now.

Gordon is only 6-foot-2 and isn't a pure point guard. His makeup is much like that of Dajuan Wagner, a strong scorer without an established position. The difference between the two is that Gordon is more mature and knows how to play defense.

Harris is slightly taller than Gordon and also is known for his ability to shoot and to get to the basket at the college level. But he has played only one full season in college at point. Though he excelled, he wasn't sensational in all of his team workouts.

If all five of these players are gone, look for the team to consider Nevada shooting guard Kirk Snyder. If they trade back in the pack, they might consider high school swingmen J.R. Smith and Josh Smith or even 7-foot-5 giant Pavel Podkolozine. But if the team makes a trade, it likely will be out of the draft.

The tallest man in the Draft, Pavel Podkolzine, is scheduled to work out for the Cavaliers on Thursday.

The 7-foot-5, 300-pounder could be available at the 10th pick and the Cavs may want to make him their backup center.

Podkolzine played in Italy this year and averaged 2.6 points and 2.3 rebounds in 22 games. Besides enormous size, he has a nice shooting touch and some good ability.  However, he is just 18 years of age and will take time to develop before he can contribute in the NBA.

Other players the Cavs will work out are Oak Hill Academy small forward Josh Smith (6-8, 220), Prentiss (Miss.) High School power forward Al Jefferson (6-10, 265), University of Mississippi forward Justin Reed (6-8, 240) and Spain's Albert Miralles.

LeBron James will have a fellow teammate of his join the United States Olympic team when Carlos Boozer officially joins the squad.

He has 62 career double-doubles and finished third in the NBA in field-goal per centage (53.6) last season. He has led the Cavs in double-doubles in each of his two seasons. Boozer averaged a double-double last season (15.5 points and 11.4 rebounds).

Boozer, who was unavailable for comment, will join an Olympic team with only two of its original NBA selections.