The Cavaliers are attempting to stockpile assets and trade picks to rebuilt their team in the same way as Sam Presti did when he took over the Sonics.

''You've got to admire the way they've done it, no doubt about that,'' Byron Scott said of the Thunder. ''It's nothing that's going to happen overnight. That's the fantasyland when you think it's going to happen in a year. People have to be patient with that. You've got to give these guys time to develop, and sometimes it takes them a couple years.''

GM Chris Grant was elated to acquire an additional lottery pick in this year's draft, even if it cost the team financially because of the contract to Baron Davis.