CLEVELAND -- Paul Silas will coach the Cleveland Cavaliers, a young, struggling team that is expected to get much better with the addition of high school star LeBron James.

Silas, credited with developing young players during his coaching career, was introduced Monday as the Cavaliers' 15th coach.

"This is a very important day in the history of the Cavaliers franchise,'' owner Gordon Gund said.

"With Paul Silas as the Cavaliers new coach, we believe we have found the best coach for this team. We couldn't be more satisfied with the result of our search.''

The 59-year-old Silas was chosen over former New York Knicks coach Jeff Van Gundy. Terms of Silas' deal were not immediately available.

"Paul has a successful track record of managing players and player relationships effectively, and getting the most out of his teams. His teams compete every night, play hard and play together with a purpose,'' said general manager Jim Paxson.

Silas, fired last month by New Orleans, jumped off the jam-packed pro coaching carousel -- there are still six openings -- and landed with the Cavaliers, who went 17-65 last season but have undergone a makeover.

Cleveland won last month's NBA draft lottery and the rights to draft 18-year-old James, the Akron phenom tabbed for superstardom, on June 26.

James' impending arrival has sparked a renewed interest in the Cavaliers, who despite losing at least 50 games the past four seasons are now the hottest ticket in town. The club has experienced an overwhelming run on season-ticket sales because of James.

Silas will now be in charge of making the 6-foot-8 James and the Cavaliers into winners.

"The only promise I'll make is this team will play hard,'' Silas said.

A two-time All-Star forward with the Boston Celtics, Silas went 208-155 in five seasons with the Hornets, who moved from Charlotte to New Orleans last season.

Silas took his teams to the playoffs in each of the past four seasons and twice led them into the second round. While becoming the most successful coach in franchise history, he helped develop Hornets guard Baron Davis and forward Jamal Washburn into All-Stars.

Silas will inherit a young Cavaliers team with long-term potential but short-term problems.

Cleveland's 2002-03 season was a disaster. The Cavaliers fired John Lucas following an 8-34 start and replaced him on an interim basis with Keith Smart, who got the underachieving team to play hard during stretches.

Veterans Bimbo Coles and Tyrone Hill were released. But leading scorer Ricky Davis may have provided the lasting image of the Cavaliers' season when he intentionally shot at his own basket late in a March 16 game against Utah while trying to record a rebound for his first career triple-double.

Silas coached Davis for two seasons with the Hornets, who traded the guard in 2000 to Miami as part of a nine-player deal.

Silas does have some good things to work with in Cleveland.

Along with Davis, forward Carlos Boozer, guard Dajuan Wagner and center Zydrunas Ilgauskas give the Cavaliers a solid young nucleus of talent. If forward Darius Miles, a major disappointment in his first season with Cleveland, can find his game, the Cavaliers may be able to turn things around quickly.

But the franchise is counting on James to return them to prominence, and Silas must have impressed the Cavaliers with his plans for the youngster.

Silas was thought to be the club's No. 2 choice behind Van Gundy, who reportedly clashed during a discussion with Paxson on how much playing time he would give James.

Silas coached the San Diego Clippers from 1980-83 before serving as an assistant with New Jersey, New York, Phoenix and Charlotte.

During his 16-year NBA playing career, the 6-foot-7 forward won three NBA titles -- two with Boston and one with Seattle.