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But there's no question he must tweak his roster in the offseason. The Cavs finished 45-37 during the regular season - Coach Mike Brown's first sub-50-win season of his career - and weren't able to get the job done in the playoffs. They were eliminated by eventual champion Boston in the Eastern Conference semifinals, 4-3. The year before, their season ended with a four-game sweep by San Antonio in the NBA Finals.
Many Cleveland fans are quick to point out the Cavs gave the Celtics the toughest battle in the playoffs this year and lost by just five points in Game 7.
In actuality, that means very little. They aren't going to get a trophy for making the Celtics sweat in the series. What the Cavs have to do is learn from their mistakes and shortcomings and figure out what needs to be added to the mix.
Boston is now the team to beat in the East. The Cavs have to find a way to beat the Celtics in the playoffs.
The Cavs have some glaring needs. Even though they have perhaps the best player in the league in All-Star forward LeBron James, Ferry must improve the supporting cast.
Teams have three vehicles with which to improve themselves: the draft, free agency and trades. The NBA draft is Thursday, and the Cavs have the 19th pick. They currently don't have a second-round pick, but they are in talks about acquiring one.
What are their needs?
First, let's remember who is coaching this team. Brown is preoccupied with his team's defense. When the Cavs traded guard Larry Hughes to Chicago on Feb. 21, their best perimeter defender was sent to the Windy City. They just don't have any lockdown wing defenders.
In fact, James might be their best defender. But he has so much already on his plate, playing 45 minutes of rugged defense is too much to ask. He'd be worn out by the All-Star break. In order to conserve some of his energy, the Cavs shift him to the best perimeter scoring threat at the end of games.
The point is simple: Perimeter defense might be one of the Cavs' biggest weaknesses.
Also, they need players who can make shots. They relied on 7-foot-3 center Zydrunas Ilgauskas to make outside jumpers early in the Boston series. By the time Game 7 came around, the Celtics' defensive scheme was able to take Ilgauskas completely out of the offense.
Starting shooting guard Wally Szczerbiak also had some strong games against the Celtics. However, in the deciding Game 7, he didn't have a field goal. The only reason he's on the court is to make baskets.
Guard Daniel Gibson, perhaps their best shooter, was already starting his offseason by the deciding game. He separated his shoulder in a collision with teammate Anderson Varejao in Game 5 against Boston.
So, ideally, if the Cavs can find a player who can defend and make shots, they'd be happy. That player could be Kansas swingman Brandon Rush (6-6, 210). Rush likely won't be on the board at 19, even though there are rumors the Cavs will move up to select him. They might have to move up to No. 13 to get Rush.
Western Kentucky shooting guard Courtney Lee (6-5, 200) could be an alternative to Rush. Lee is long, has dazzling perimeter shooting skills and can defend.
Another need is depth at power forward and center. Considering the ages of big men Ilgauskas (33), Ben Wallace (33) and Joe Smith (32) - all in or past the primes of their careers - another big man needs to be added to the roster. Varejao, whose talents seem to be duplicated by Wallace, can opt out of his contract after the 2008-09 season. His name is being shopped around the league in trade talks.
Fortunately for the Cavs, there are several big men who could be available at No. 19 in the draft, including Stanford's Robin Lopez, Georgetown's Roy Hibbert, France's Alexis Ajinca, Nevada's JaVale McGee, Texas A&M's DeAngelo Jordan, Ohio State's Kosta Koufos and Florida's Marreese Speights.
Don't be shocked if the Cavs take one of them.
Who are their free agents?
The Cavs have three potential restricted free agents - Gibson, starting point guard Delonte West and backup center Dwayne Jones. If the Cavs make qualifying offers to these players, they will be restricted, meaning the Cavs can match any offer they get in free agency.
Gibson and West are definitely in the team's plans. Gibson's New York-based agent, Lewis Tucker, doesn't envision any problems with Gibson re-signing with the team.
The Cavs made a qualifying offer to Gibson worth $972,581, which will make him a restricted free agent on July 1.
"He's happy with the Cleveland Cavaliers' organization," Tucker said. "I don't think things are going to be difficult. But you never know what's going to happen."
The qualifying offer to West is worth $2.76 million.
West also wants to return to the team. His agent, Noah Croom, said the Cavs have indicated to him that they want to re-sign West.
Jones has yet to receive a qualifying offer from the Cavs (they have until June 30). He has "Bird" rights, which permit the Cavs to re-sign him using that exception rather than the mid-level or bi-annual exceptions.
Swingman Devin Brown is an unrestricted free agent and the Cavs hold what is called non-qualifying veteran free-agent rights, or non-Bird rights. That allows the Cavs to re-sign Brown without using the mid-level or bi-annual exceptions, even though the team is above the salary cap.
However, after getting benched for the playoffs, Brown might not want to return.
Stay tuned.
Who's out there?
There is talk new Bucks GM John Hammond will make shooting guard Michael Redd available in trade talks. Two years ago, the Cavs made an attempt to sign the Ohio State product in free agency.
Redd said he gave the Cavs serious consideration - playing in his native Ohio appealed to him, as well as teaming with superstar James - but it came down to the almighty buck. The Bucks were able to offer him about $20 million more than the Cavs, and that was the trump card in the proceedings.
The Bucks just finished their fourth consecutive losing season in 2007-08, however, and Hammond hints that some changes will be made.
Ridding themselves of Redd's massive contract would be one place to start. He has $32 million remaining on his contract over the next two years, plus a player option for $18 million for the 2010-11 season.
The Bucks would likely ask for Gibson, as well as Varejao, in any such deal. Gibson can't be traded until at least July 1 and Varejao can't be traded up until Dec. 5 unless he gives his consent.
Critics say the Cavs need a legitimate second scorer, and Redd would provide that. Imagine how many open shots Redd would get when James breaks down the defense by penetrating to the basket.
The Toronto Raptors have also shopped diminutive point guard T.J. Ford. Sources say the Cavs are lukewarm about acquiring him. Brown likes big guards, and Ford checks in at 6-0, 165.
Three other point guards could be available, including Milwaukee's Mo Williams, Indiana's Jamaal Tinsley and Portland's Jarrett Jack. The Cavs might want to stay clear of Tinsley, but the other two are on their radar.
The Suns are looking to add another first-round pick in the draft and have reportedly dangled guard Leandro Barbosa and forward Boris Diaw. Barbosa is certainly a talent, but he probably wouldn't fit with a halfcourt team like the Cavs.
Another player who could become available is Golden State guard Baron Davis. He has an option on his 2008-09 contract worth $17.8 million. He has until June 30 to decide, but he's not expected to opt out. Davis is not going to get that kind of money on the open market. The only way for the Cavs to get him would be via trade.
Sources say Clippers swingman Corey Maggette is opting out of his deal. He'd look good in a Cavs uniform at shooting guard, but can they afford him? They'd have to execute a sign-and-trade.
Clippers forward/center Elton Brand, coming off a torn Achilles, also has an opt-out clause. Sources say he probably won't opt out. If he does, he could return to the Clippers in a multiyear deal, similar to what guard Vince Carter did in New Jersey.
Wizards guard Gilbert Arenas has also opted out of the last year of his contract. Many around the league expect him to re-sign with the Wizards or to play on the West Coast.
The other major player with an early termination option is Heat forward Shawn Marion. There's a possibility he could opt out of his $17.8 million contract, but it's unlikely.
The Cavs have only their mid-level and bi-annual exceptions to spend in free agency. Any player of this magnitude would have to be acquired in a sign-and-trade.
The Cavs have four players heading into the final year of their contracts - Szczerbiak ($13 million), guard Eric Snow ($7.3 million), forward/center Joe Smith ($4.8 million) and guard Damon Jones ($4.6 million). All four could be expendable, even though Smith might be a keeper.
Expiring contracts are like gold around the trade deadline, which might be when Ferry can cash in some of them.
