More than 30 years ago, the venerable musical ensemble known simply as The Band released a song called "Look Out Cleveland." The lyrics said it all: "a storm is coming through. And it's running right up on you."

That "you" in the NBA in 2002 is the Cleveland Cavaliers.

	Andre Miller wants a max contract. That's why the Cavs want him out of Cleveland.

The storm, one might argue, already is passing through and, unfortunately for the Cavs, has decided to stick around. The word "bleak" comes to mind when the topic of discussion is the Cavs' future. You could make a case that with the apparent resuscitation of the Bulls and with the arrival of Jerry West in Memphis, Gund Arena in Cleveland now is the official charnel house of the NBA. Even Denver's pathetic situation looks more promising.

The latest contretemps involving the future whereabouts of Andre Miller cuts right to the core of the Cavaliers' problem. They have, without question, one of the top point guards in the game. He's mature. He's clean. He's good. And the Cavs won't hesitate to move him.

Part of the reason, maybe most of the reason, is money. But when a franchise starts to even think of moving its most precious asset because of finances, well, that's a sure sign things are not what they should be. Miller is a player the Cavs should place a "Not For Sale" sign around and go from there.

But they choose not to do so. The to-and-fro with the Los Angeles Clippers on draft night, chronicled by Sports Illustrated recently, was revealing to the point of embarrassment to Cleveland. General manager Jim Paxson correctly noted that Miller is there and that a) the team is still losing and b) the blue-colored seats outnumber the blue-collar fans at Gund Arena.

So he tried to get two players for one. Paxson is no rube, but the Clippers have a long, long history of saying one thing and doing another when it comes to trades. Once owner Donald Sterling gets involved, you can be certain of one thing: The rules will change by the hour. And Sterling was the point man at the end, which is, of course, why the deal fell through. (And you wonder why Sterling would even consider taking on a player who is going to demand huge money.)

Paxson claims he wanted Dajaun Wagner all along. That's his story and he's sticking to it. He also says now that Miller and Wagner will form an effective backcourt. He could well be right. But for how long? And even Miller, who is a consummate pro, will have to deal with the almost trade and the inevitable future trade because the Cavs won't pay him what he wants. You have to have a commitment from ownership that you are going to keep your best players. Otherwise, you're cooked.

Cleveland already has traded Wesley Person to Memphis in a deal to save money. The Cavs got back Nick Anderson, who retired four years ago but still doesn't know it. Person, meanwhile, was merely coming off one of the more productive years of his NBA career. Again, money dictated the move.

Paxson deserves credit for moving Shawn Kemp when everyone thought it was impossible to do so. His draft picks, to be charitable, have been a bit puzzling.