If I were running the team (or more importanlty, its owner), it is actually IMPERATIVE that the 2012-2013 make the playoff. From the PD concerning the Irving and Thompson rookie deals:
overall pick, was signed to a four-year, $16.65 million contract.
In each case, the deals are technically two years with a club option for the third and fourth years.
Byron Scott signed a four year contract in 2010; so he is now beginning his second year. This means that next year 2012-13, you will need to determine if you plan to extend him.
You cannot guarantee that if the rookies turn into superior players that they will re-sign with CLE; in fact, from an organizational planning prospective, you have to assume that they may not. This is the timeline you are dealing with:
2011-12 Y1 BSY2KI/TTY1 (Current Year)
2012-13 Y2 BSY3 KI/TTY2 (Scott extension determination)
2013-14 Y3 BSY4 KI/TTY3 (Final Year Scott )
2014-15 Y4 KI/TTY4
2015-16 Y5 ?? ??
It is unlikely you will extend a losing coach and Scott will not want to stay in a losing situation, so you are looking at a coaching change after NEXT season with no playoff appearance. After the following year, 2013-14, you will need to decide to extend the rookies (you do not want to go into the 4th year with no extension, even though there is an option available.) I don't know what Grants contract looks like, but its likely along the lines of Scotts in length. That means that Grant needs to work some miracles, or he likely gone the next year after Scott (2013-14).
Im not going to even get into ticket sales in a weak midwestern economy for a perpetually losing franchise. A winning culture must be established so that these players, coaches and yes even the fans, see a future in the armpit of the NBA. Perpetual losing is not an option in this situation.
This is why I continually harp on the need to move Varejao and Gibson to bring a decent center prospect into this situation quickly, so that you start the TEAM development process NOW. Acquiring a legitimate low-post center is critical because you can then establish a workable offense for your 1st-choice-in-the-draft point guard to You can't just bank on getting a top two pick to land a Drummond--the odds are too long. On the other hand, your chances of landing a decent wing player in the upcoming draft lottery is pretty good. Ultimately, trades are going to have to play a key role in making this happen--I give Grant until the trade deadline this year.
Get it done Grant & Scott; Playoffs in 2013---and of course, that 8-1 seed match-up where CAVS take down the HEAT!