One NBA writer is proposing that the Cleveland Cavaliers trade Max Strus to the Brooklyn Nets for Dorian Finney-Smith in a bold trade. Zach Buckley of Bleacher Report proposed the following trade idea between the Cavaliers and Nets:
The Trade: Cavaliers trade Max Strus and a 2025 second-round pick (via MIL) to Nets for Dorian Finney-Smith
“Since Strus can’t be traded until mid-January, that could be enough time for Cleveland to learn that he isn’t the two-way wing it needs,” Buckley wrote in his latest NBA trade column. “His 37.1 career three-point percentage looks good on paper, but he has shot 35 percent or worse from distance in two of the past three seasons. And while he’s a solid team defender, he’s hardly an elite on-ball stopper, which the Cavs arguably need given the defensive deficiencies of Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland.
“That’s why Cleveland could see merit in flipping Strus (plus a second-rounder) to get Finney-Smith, who’s a far superior defender and maybe just as viable of an outside shooter. The 30-year-old had a rough showing from range in 2022-23 (33.7 percent), but his previous three seasons (1.9 threes a night on 38.9 percent shooting) suggest that may have been an aberration.”
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Max Strus, Dorian Finney-Smith, Brooklyn Nets, Cleveland Cavaliers Updates
Strus appeared in 80 games for the Miami Heat last season. He averaged 11.5 points, 3.2 rebounds and 2.1 assists while shooting 41.0% from the field, 35.0% from beyond the arc and 87.6% from the free-throw line.
Meanwhile, Finney-Smith played for the Dallas Mavericks and Nets last season. He averaged 8.3 points, 4.8 boards and 1.5 assists in 66 games while shooting 39.1% overall, 33.7% from 3 and 76.3% from the foul line.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Max Strus, Dorian Finney-Smith, Brooklyn Nets, Cleveland Cavaliers Updates
The Cavaliers lost to the New York Knicks in the first round of the 2023 playoffs in five games, while the Nets got swept by the Philadelphia 76ers in the first round.
Want the latest NBA analysis, breaking news, and insider information? Click Here. Follow NBA Analysis Network on Twitter and Facebook.
