The Cavaliers might be saying they are not rebuilding, but their actions are saying something entirely different. They are acquiring assets, not taking on more salary and trying to get younger.

They have not adopted the Cleveland Indians' plan of trading anyone with a speck of gray hair, but a player like forward Antawn Jamison probably shouldn't sign a long-term apartment lease anytime soon.

Jamison, 34, has two years remaining on his contract worth a total of $28 million. He might become more attractive to other teams near the trade deadline in February.

He thought he was possibly the missing piece on a championship contender when he came aboard. Instead, he might lose his starting job on what could become a .500 team.

The Cavs shopped starting point guard Mo Williams over the summer but didn't find the right deal. He sent out his now-famous Tweet saying he didn't want to be traded and wanted to stay in Cleveland. Fans responded in a positive way to his message, and now he's beloved. After being spurned by superstar and former favorite son LeBron James, fans loved the fact that Williams wanted to remain in town.

But if the Cavs could have moved his enormous contract, they probably would have.

So they are in a rebuilding mode, even if it's going on behind the scenes. Cavs general manager Chris Grant is stockpiling draft picks. He has acquired two first-round picks and three second-rounders since the start of free agency.

They're also trying to get younger and possibly shed some of their older players. That's one reason why they had no interest in bringing back center Shaquille O'Neal, who signed with Boston on Aug. 4.

The Cavs will have salary cap space galore next summer. Perhaps they'll be able to overpay a free agent of their liking.

They got off to a late start in free agency this summer. By the time they were up and running -- July 8 -- all the top free agents were already accounted for.

The Cavs have money to spend. They have a $14.5 million trade exception from the James sign-and-trade and also have their $5.8 million mid-level exception.

Just because they have money, that doesn't mean they have to spend it. They're not ready to get locked into any long-term, big-dollar deals until they are ready to contend. That time is not now.

Look at the moves Grant has made thus far. He acquired guard Ramon Sessions and center Ryan Hollins in a four-player trade with Minnesota, and he signed forward Joey Graham to a two-year deal for the league minimum.

Right now, Grant said he wants to remain "disciplined, non-emotional, strategic and flexible."

Translation? They're building for the future. A very good player will likely become available in the future. At that time, Grant will have the assets to pounce on him.

No one is saying the Cavaliers can't make the playoffs in 2010-11. They are probably one of six teams fighting for the final two spots in the Eastern Conference playoff race. The top six spots are likely to be filled by Orlando, Miami, Boston, Chicago, Atlanta and Milwaukee.

Philadelphia and Charlotte might be favored to take the final two playoff spots in the East, but the Cavs, New York, Indiana and Detroit will be in the hunt. Cavs coach Byron Scott isn't conceding anything and said his team is a playoff contender.

If they make the postseason, great. If not, they'll be back in the lottery and could possibly get lucky. In the meantime, they'll be opportunistic.

"During this summer we've had opportunities to go long term with some contracts," Grant said recently. "We decided not to do that. It's important for us to be in a position where we can take advantage of whatever the next best opportunity is. That's what we'll continue to do."

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