BEAVERTON, ORE.: The Cavaliers now have a mandate . . . from the top.

Following a workout Tuesday on the Nike campus in Beaverton, Ore., LeBron James barely needed to hear the words Jason Kidd to make it very clear how much he'd like the Cavs to attempt to trade for the New Jersey Nets' disgruntled guard. And he expects the team's front office will make it a priority.

''I would love to have a guy like Jason Kidd to be a part of this franchise. I think it makes us that much better of a team,'' James said. ''Everyone knows how much I love Jason Kidd, just throughout the summertime (when they played for Team USA). It's not hard to see how much I'd love to have him as part of the team.

''Honestly, when you see Jason Kidd wants to be traded, you shouldn't have to go to the front office and tell them to get on it. It's Jason Kidd.''

Then he was asked if being paired with Kidd could bring a championship to Cleveland.

''Yeah,'' James said. ''It's that easy.''

Only, it's not. Kidd sent NBA front offices into a tizzy Monday when he told ESPN that he wanted to be traded from the Nets. Applying such public pressure usually means superstars get traded and, quite often, for pennies on the dollar. Numerous teams — the Dallas Mavericks, Los Angeles Lakers, Denver Nuggets and Cavs are believed to be at the forefront — are interested, so it didn't take James' proclamation to have the Cavs start working on it.

As it is, sources say, they've been in touch with the Nets since Kidd's frustrations first became public last month after New Jersey rejected giving him a contract extension.

At this point, though, the Cavs would have to be considered an underdog at best. Which James understands, but it doesn't preclude the Cavs from making a try ahead of the trade deadline,
which is three weeks away.

Cavs General Manager Danny Ferry, who does not comment on trade rumors, did not come with the team on its West Coast trip, perhaps to stay in Cleveland to attempt to construct a deal. While there are scenarios in which the Cavs could acquire Kidd with their current players, there is not a natural trade that would appeal to the Nets.

Which is why Ferry is likely working on getting a third team involved, a tactic he tried last year when he took a swing at trading for Sacramento Kings guard Mike Bibby.

According to sources, with the exception of James and Anderson Varejao, who cannot be traded due to NBA rules, the Cavs are willing to discuss anyone on the roster. However, Ferry has proved to be conservative when making changes and values stability. At the same time, though, he's been looking to re-tool since last summer, but hasn't found the right chemistry for a deal.

It may not be right now, either, but there's no doubting the impetus.

Lineup shakeup

With Varejao out multiple weeks with an ankle sprain, Cavs coach Mike Brown said Tuesday that he'll be looking at some different rotations at the forward spot. That will likely include Donyell Marshall, who hasn't played in nearly three months with a wrist injury. Brown also said that he'll likely activate forward Cedric Simmons, who hasn't played since suffering an ankle injury Nov. 16, to replace Varejao. Drew Gooden, who has been struggling of late, also figures to see more time.

''You hate to see a teammate go down, but it is an opportunity for other guys,'' said Gooden, who has just one point in the last two games. ''It's the nature of the beast.''