Sense of Urgency: Cavaliers Need to Improve This Offseason

It was pretty much a given that the Cleveland Cavaliers were looking to and needed to improve their roster this summer.

Despite finishing with the NBA's best record (66-16) and sweeping through the first two rounds of the playoffs, the Cavaliers lost in the Eastern Conference Finals to the Orlando Magic in six games, exposing their lack of length and size on the perimeter, along with the fact that they didn't have anyone on their roster who could guard Dwight Howard.

The offseason began and thus so did the rumor mill. Shaq to Cleveland? Strong possibility. It would give the Cavs a big man who could defend Dwight Howard, while also being effective in the post offensively.

How 'bout Vince Carter? The Cavaliers have been making attempts to land the swingman since last offseason.

The draft is an opportunity to land another key member of the rotation, but with the 30th and final selection in the first round, there isn't a great chance they find an impact player.

This much I do know: The Cavaliers need to act and quickly.

This sense of urgency comes from the improvements already made by the Wizards (acquiring Randy Foye and Mike Miller, with their Big Three fully healthy), the Hawks (reportedly acquired Jamal Crawford) and the likely improvements made by the Magic (Jameer Nelson fully healthy) and Celtics (healthy KG).

The Cavaliers have three pressing needs, in my opinion:

1. Length and shooting on the perimeter

Options: Carter (trade), Anthony Parker (UFA), Derrick Brown and Sam Young (draft)

2. Big men who can stretch the floor and/or guard Dwight Howard

Options: Shaq (trade), Antawn Jamison (trade), Rasheed Wallace (UFA)

3. Bigger guards

Options: Trevor Ariza (UFA), Jason Kidd (UFA), Wayne Ellington (draft)

The fact that LeBron James is possibly entering his final year as a Cav, (for those of you who don't know, or are probably living under a rock, he is scheduled to become a free agent on July 1, 2010) makes this offseason that much more important. The Cavaliers must make a championship run to convince James to stay.

In other words, this is potentially the most important offseason in Cavalier history, a make or break summer that could determine the long term success of the franchise.

Hope you're listening, Danny Ferry.