The Cavaliers might have been close to making a deal for Warriors swingman Stephen Jackson, a league source said.

They made a proposal to Golden State that reportedly included guard Delonte West and possibly a sign-and-trade with swingman Wally Szczerbiak.

The Warriors chose the Charlotte Bobcats' safer offer instead. The 6-foot-8, 215-pound Jackson and guard Acie Law went to the Bobcats for guard Raja Bell and forward Vladimir Radmanovic on Monday.

Jackson, 31, has averaged 15.5 points, 3.8 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 1.3 steals in his 10-year career. He has played for New Jersey, San Antonio, Atlanta, Indiana and Golden State.

After getting a lucrative new deal, he asked to be traded right before training camp. He wanted to go to Cleveland, New York or any of the Texas teams.

On the surface, it didn't seem as if Jackson would be the kind of player the Cavs would covet. But they were intrigued by his skill set.

Jackson was a teammate of Cavs general manager Danny Ferry in San Antonio during the 2002-03 championship season. Cavs coach Mike Brown was an assistant coach on that team and later coached him with the Pacers.

"He's a good player," Brown said. "I'm happy we won't have to see him in an opposite color uniform (tonight)."

There was quite a bit of chatter around the league about Jackson coming to the Cavs.

"It never got to me," Brown said. "I don't deal with that. I deal with coaching this team. If it would have happened, great. If it didn't happen, great. I always wish him the best, wherever he is."

The Cavs reportedly wanted to keep Zydrunas Ilgauskas, another name that surfaced in trade talks.

The 7-3 center provides an insurance policy if Shaquille O'Neal gets hurt. If the Cavs dealt Ilgauskas, currently in a shooting slump, it might leave them a bit thin up front.

CAVS 114, WARRIORS 108: LeBron James has an uncanny knack for seeing plays develop before they happen.

Golden State guard Monta Ellis felt James' wrath in the first quarter of the Cavaliers' victory before a capacity crowd on Tuesday at Quicken Loans Arena.

He chased down the lightning-quick guard and blocked his shot from behind.

It's become a signature move for James, an all-defensive performer last season.

"(Ellis) didn't see me," James said. "It's one of my go-to plays.

"I don't give up on plays. I see it before it happens. You never know when those two points will make a difference."

James led all scorers with 31 points, 12 assists, five rebounds and two blocks. He made 11-of-19 from the field.

The Cavs, who have won eight of their last nine games, finished with season highs in points (114) and field-goal percentage (58.2). Their 66 points in the first half tied their season best.

But they also allowed a season-high 108 points to the league's highest-scoring team.

"I don't feel like our defense lapsed," James said. "As far as us scoring a lot of points, that doesn't take away from who we are. We're still a defensive team. We're not going to throw that out the window to become an offensive powerhouse."

The Cavs played without center Shaquille O'Neal, who missed his second consecutive game with a strained shoulder. He didn't travel with the team to Washington and won't play there, either.

Also, valuable forward/center Anderson Varejao was sidelined because of a bruised hip. He flew to the nation's capital after the game but likely won't play Wednesday night.

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