Negotiations with West dragged on much longer than anyone expected. The Cavs signed the veteran guard to a three-year, $12.7 million contract. The third year is not fully guaranteed.

"This is the first time since I was offered a scholarship at (St. Joseph's) that I feel like I am valued as a person and a player," West said in a prepared statement.

Cavs general manager Danny Ferry said he didn't know why negotiations were so prolonged. West's posture early on was that he was the starting point guard and should be paid accordingly. That stance no longer applied when the Cavs acquired Williams from Milwaukee on Aug. 13.

Along the way, West's agent, Aaron Goodwin, criticized the Cavs' tactics and threatened to sign the qualifying offer. Now, both sides are apparently happy and the Cavs have the 25-year-old West under contract for what could be the next three seasons.

Other than LeBron James and maybe West, the Cavs had very few players who could create off the dribble last season. That's no longer the case in 2008-09, which should take some of the pressure off James.

"We'll be able to attack off the dribble more," Ferry said. "That's important with the way the rules are now. To have multiple guys who can do that is a positive."

It's unclear where the 6-foot-3, 180-pound West exactly fits in. Williams will be the starting point guard, and West could either start at shooting guard or come off the bench to back up both guard spots.

Ferry said he thinks Williams, West and Daniel Gibson can all play together in different combinations. Also, both Wally Szczerbiak and Sasha Pavlovic can share minutes at shooting guard and small forward.

"Playing time and roles will all get figured out," Ferry said. "Coaches make those decisions."

If West starts next to the 6-1 Williams, it would give the Cavs a small backcourt. Coach Mike Brown likes big guards, which is why some think Szczerbiak or Pavlovic will earn the starting spot at shooting guard.