Over the offseason, the Cleveland Cavaliers struck news headlines by acquiring key Miami Heat wing, Max Strus, via a sign-and-trade. The three-team deal saw Cleveland ship off wing duo Lamar Stevens and Cedi Osman in addition to two second-round picks. San Antonio received the wing pair as well as a 2030 second-round pick. Miami received a 2026 second-round pick that originally belonged to the Lakers.
Cleveland signed Strus to a four-year, $63 million deal and he has been a massive payoff to the team to start the new season.
Strus has been the one constant in the Cavaliers’ starting five as the team has been riddled with injuries to start the year. Strus has started in all twelve of Cleveland’s games and has posted impressive averages of 14.6 points, 5.8 rebounds and 3.7 assists on 43% shooting from the field. Max Strus has also shown his value as a shooter connecting on 36% of his threes while attempting 7.8 a night.
Cleveland has seen their new addition boast some impressive performances including a 27-point, 12-rebound double-double on opening night. Strus has gotten in double figures in nine out of twelve games for the Cavaliers as well.
The 27-year-old is already building strong chemistry with power forward, Evan Mobley. Strus has played a key role in the DPOY runner-up taking that next step offensively. Cavaliers fans have seen many sets run through Strus to get the ball to Mobley on the left block.
The two have assisted each other on a number of highlight dunks and have true fluidity in their two-man game.
Strus has looked worth every penny of that $63 million and the Cavaliers are starting to figure it out. Following their 1-3 start, Strus has helped Cleveland steady the ship, upping their record to 6-6.
