Because of restricted free agents Anderson Varejao and Sasha Pavlovic remain unsigned, the Cavaliers are serving as a giant test case and a precedent setter for the way business is going to be handled in the NBA, and other organizations are watching carefully.

In 2007, not a single team can offer Varejao a deal starting at more than $5.3 million this season, which is why the Cavs  won't pay him the $9 million he wants.

Varejao's side is betting the Cavs will fold under the pressure of his absence. Most of the league is watching, but shares the Cavs' viewpoint.