CAVALIERS GM Paxson is rewarded

The LeBron James factor played a big role in the promtion and new deal.
CLEVELAND (AP) -- Cleveland Cavaliers general manager Jim Paxson has received a contract extension and promotion from the club, two NBA sources told The Associated Press.
The sources, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said Paxson's new deal and new title would be announced today by Cavaliers owner Gordon Gund.
The Cavaliers have lost an average of 55 games during Paxson's four seasons in Cleveland. Last season, the Cavs were the league's youngest team and went 17-65 while playing in front of the NBA's smallest home crowds.
However, all the losing turned into a positive when the Cavaliers won the NBA draft lottery in May and used the No. 1 overall pick to take LeBron James.
The saga
Paxson replaced Wayne Embry as general manager in 1999, and his teams have gone 108-220.
Gund has refused to discuss details of Paxson's current contract, but it is believed he had one year remaining.
Paxson, 46, has spent the past three seasons unloading huge player contracts -- leftovers from Embry's tenure -- in an attempt to free up money for free agents and rebuild the Cavs, who haven't been in the playoffs since 1998.
In addition to dumping high-salaried players like Shawn Kemp, Wesley Person, Lamond Murray, Bob Sura and Brevin Knight, Paxson has acquired some young talent, including draft picks Dajuan Wagner and Carlos Boozer. However, some of his draft picks haven't fared so well. His critics point to the selections of guard Trajan Langdon and center DeSagana Diop as among his worst.
While he has had mixed success in player moves, Paxson hasn't had the same luck with his coaching hires.
After Mike Fratello, who was hired by Embry, was fired following the 1998-99 season, Paxson hired Randy Wittman, then an assistant with Minnesota. Wittman was fired by Paxson following the 2001 season, replaced by John Lucas, who went 29-53 in his first season before being replaced after an 8-34 start last season.
Busy lately
Over the past few weeks, Paxson has been busy trying to strengthen his team for new coach Paul Silas, who was hired in June. Cleveland has added free agent guard Kevin Ollie and forward Ira Newble, traded for guard J.R. Bremer and signed rookies James and second-round pick Jason Kapono. Kapono, the first player to lead UCLA in scoring four straight seasons, signed Wednesday.