President and GM Jim Paxson has often said that he is preparing the team's payroll, so that it has cap room after next year's 04-05 season. So one might wonder what might go through the mind of the Cavaliers GM - hmm.

So I thought I'd take a look at some future free agents for this upcoming year and next year, after the 04/05 season. Also, I thought I'd check and see what Cavaliers contracts would expire and see what could be flying around in ole Pax's mind.

Obviously there's going to be draft picks, the trade winds will blow, and some re-signing of our own FA's. But for fun, lets take a look at the possible Paxson Forecast. (the following contracts are based on HoopsHype salaries)

First, the Current Roster - LeBron James, Tony Battie, Kevin Ollie, and Ira Newble are all signed past the 05 season. Eric Williams, Ruben Boumtje-Boumtje, and J.R. Bremer contracts are up after this season.

DaJuan Wagner could become a free agent after the 04/05 season if his option for the 05/06 season isn't picked up (but probably will be). DeSegana Diop and Kedrick Brown both could become free agents after 04/05 if they are not given qualified offers for the 05/06 season. Jeff McInnis has an option for one more year on his contract at $3.6 million, but the Cavaliers could opt out of that by the summer.

Carlos Boozer will be signed to a long-term deal this summer and Jason Kapono probably will be let go after this year. Zydrunas Ilgauskas will be off the books after the 04/05 season (he is getting around $14 million).

Second, there are many decisions and draft picks to be made from now till the end of the 04/05 season. But anyway, let's take a look at some of the free agents for this season and next.

There are some big names and some guys who can fill roles and positions that could be available. (listed is the name of the player, the year they could become a free agent, and the age, in parenthesis, they will be the year of free agency) (TP - team option, PO - player option, RFA-restricted free agent, FA - free agent)

Shareef Abdur-Rahim - 2005 (29 yrs. old)

Ray Allen - 05 (30)

Brent Barry - 04 (33)

Jon Barry - 04 (35)

Kobe Bryant - PO-04, FA-05 (27) --- already said he'll use his player option to become a FA in 04

Manu Ginobili - RFA-04 (27)

Gordan Giricek - 04 (27)

Bobby Jackson - 05 (32)

Eddie Jones - PO-05 (34)

Kerry Kittles - 05 (31)

Kyle Korver - 04 (23)

Kenyon Martin - RFA-04 FA-05 (28)

Jamal Mashburn - PO-05 (33)

Antonio McDyess - 04 (30)

Tracy McGrady - PO-05 (25)

Steve Nash - PO-04, FA-05 (30)

Wesley Person - 04 (33)

Quentin Richardson - RFA-04, FA-05 (25)

Latrell Sprewell - PO-04, FA-05 (34)

Jason Terry - 04 (27)

Kurt Thomas - PO-04, FA-05 (32)

Antoine Walker - PO-05 (29)

Rasheed Wallace - 04 (30)

Bonzi Wells - TO-04, FA-05 (28)

Paxson's mind could be fluttering with thoughts of Kobe or T-Mac running along side King James. Or LeBron driving to the hoop and kicking out to a wide open Ray Allen and hearing Joe Tait, "Allen for Threeeeee....GOT IT!"

One could sit and comprise a team to excite a Cavs fun and spring memories of the Price, Daugherty, and Nance entourage. But only time will tell what way the wind will blow in the Paxson Forecast. At least we can sit and forecast for ourselves.