By BRIAN DULIK

Staff Writer

CLEVELAND — The Cavaliers have taken their first step toward re-signing Daniel “Boobie” Gibson and Delonte West.

General manager Danny Ferry said Friday that the club has tendered qualifying contracts to both guards, giving Cleveland their rights for a minimum of one more season.

The move makes Gibson and West restricted free agents, but the Cavaliers can match any offer sheet either player inks with another club.

“We like our team and the group of guys we’ve got, so we want to keep building with them,” Ferry said. “Daniel and Delonte are a big part of this team. That’s not to say we aren’t trying to get better, because we are. We’re looking at every potential opportunity that might present itself.”

While trade rumors continue to swirl around forward Anderson Varejao, nothing is likely to transpire until the start of the NBA’s free agent negotiation period on July 1. Players can sign deals beginning July 9, which is when major trades traditionally are put together.

In the meantime, the Cavaliers will try to lock up starting point guard West and sharpshooter Gibson to long-term pacts. West was acquired in a trade from Seattle in February, while Gibson was a second-round draft steal by Ferry in 2006.

If they are unable to come to an agreement this summer, both players would remain with Cleveland for the 2008-2009 season under their RFA terms. West would receive $2.76 million, while Gibson would earn $0.97 million.

The team’s other potential restricted free agent, backup center Dwayne Jones, has yet to receive a qualifying offer and is unlikely to get one by the June 30 deadline. That does not, however, mean he won’t return to the team.

The fourth-year pro served as the Cavaliers’ third post player off the bench for most of last season, averaging 1.4 points, 2.5 rebounds and 0.45 blocked shots in 56 games. He shot .532 from the field with most of his attempts coming on either dunks or layups.

“We like Dwayne,” assistant general manager Chris Grant said. “He’s been here a couple of seasons and we have been pleased with his development. There are just some things we need to look at before we make a decision.”

Jones will become an unrestricted free agent if he isn’t given a one-year qualifier. Cleveland’s other unrestricted free agents are guard Devin Brown and forward Billy Thomas.

 

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FROM RUSSIA WITH LOVE: Cleveland’s first two draft night acquisitions — top pick J.J. Hickson and Darnell Jackson — will take part in training camp in October, but its third will be nowhere near the North Coast. Kansas center Sasha Kaun, whose rights were purchased from Seattle after he was chosen 56th overall, has already signed a one-year contract to play for CSKA Moscow in the Russian League. Kaun was born in Tomsk, Russia before coming to the United States to attend high school at the Melbourne (Fla.) Air Academy. The 6-foot-11, 250-pounder averaged 6.1 points and 3.9 rebounds in his four-year career with the Jayhawks. “Sasha is an interesting player, but we’re not going to have him here right away,” coach Mike Brown said. The Cavaliers retain Kaun’s rights in perpetuity, just as they do for 2007 second round pick Ejike Ugboaja of Nigeria. Ugboaja, a 6-9 forward, saw spotty action last season for Albuquerque and Anaheim in the NBA D-League. N-O TO THE A-T-L: Cleveland assistant general manager Chris Grant was the top choice of the Atlanta Hawks to become their general manager, but he turned down the job, which later went to Rick Sund. He declined to reveal any details about the Hawks’ courtship, but said he appreciated their interest. “Those guys were very respectful and I appreciated the way everything was handled,” Grant said. “They were good to deal with for me.” As Ferry’s right-hand man, Grant has become a hot commodity around the league and is regarded as a prime GM candidate for any open position. The timing, though, has to be right for him to leave the Cavaliers. “Rick Sund is a very intelligent guy and he will do a very good job,” Grant said, adding with a smile. “And I’m happy to be here.”

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THREE-PEAT: The Cavaliers’ interest in veteran power forward Robert “Tractor” Traylor is genuine, according to Grant. Traylor previously played with the team in 2000-2001 and 2004-2005, but has been out of the league for three years because of heart problems and legal issues. “He’s a real sweetheart of a guy, and from what everyone has told me, he’s a great teammate,” Grant said. “We’re going to see what happens with him.” Traylor came into the NBA as the sixth selection in the 1998 draft, but never developed into the standout that he appeared destined to be at Michigan. The 6-foot-8 banger has also battled weight problems, ballooning to well over 300 pounds several times, but is reportedly working his way back into playing shape.

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HOOP SCOOPS: Hickson has chosen 21 for his uniform number, which was last worn in Cleveland by Darius Miles, while Jackson will be the first player to wear 00 since Benoit Benjamin. … Cavaliers basketball communications manager John Manuszak — a statistical wizard with great knowledge of the league — is leaving the team to work in the Colorado State University media relations office. The Northeast Ohio native, who is getting married in October, will be in charge of all information pertaining to the Rams’ men’s basketball, volleyball and track teams. … The NBA is slated to release its 2008-2009 regular season schedule in late July. … Cleveland will field a team in the NBA Summer League, which takes place from July 11-20 at the Thomas & Mack Center and Cox Pavilion in Las Vegas. … The Cavaliers had to wrap up their late afternoon press conference relatively quickly as there was a 7 p.m. performance of “Walking with Dinosaurs” at Quicken Loans Arena.

Dulik may be reached at brisports@hotmail.com or 330-721-4059.