The Cleveland Cavaliers made a big jump in the Eastern Conference standings during the 2022-23 NBA season. They made a huge splash during the offseason, acquiring Donovan Mitchell to upgrade their roster and hopefully catapult them into contender status.
They didn’t quite reach that level but are on the cusp of something special. Rumors are swirling about Mitchell’s future with the team, so the Cavaliers must take another jump during the 2023-24 campaign.
Losing to the team Mitchell was hoping to be traded to, the New York Knicks, in five games despite having homecourt advantage in their first-round series was certainly not how Cleveland drew things up. But, they hope their young core learned from that experience and is ready to take that next step.
One of the moves they made hoping to ensure that happens was acquiring Max Strus from the Miami Heat. Strus landed in Cleveland in a three-team sign-and-trade, as they sent a 2026 second-round pick back to Miami. Cedi Osman, Lamar Stevens, and a 2030 second-round pick were sent to the San Antonio Spurs to facilitate the deal.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Max Strus & Cleveland Cavaliers Updates
Strus is a big addition for the Cavaliers as he will provide a major upgrade to their win position. He signed a four-year, $62 million deal, working his way up the ranks as an undrafted free agent in 2019. After being with the Boston Celtics and Chicago Bulls as a rookie, he found a home in South Beach, where he has spent the last three seasons.
He saw his role expand every season, eventually becoming a key piece of their post-season rotation and starter. His 43 games of playoff experience will certainly help the Cavaliers. And he plugs the biggest hole in their lineup at small forward.
After yo-yo-ing between the starting five and bench in the regular season with the Heat, a permanent starting spot looks like his in Cleveland. Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com shared that Strus expects to be the starting small forward.
After how many struggles the Cavaliers had last season at that spot, it is not shocking that Strus will be penciled in there to start. He is a perfect complement to Darius Garland and Mitchell on the wing as a solid 3-and-D player. He has knocked down 37.1 percent of his 3-point attempts for his career.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Max Strus & Cleveland Cavaliers Updates
With Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley as the last line of defense, Cleveland should be a tough team to score again. Strus is an upgrade in every area they need at the wing and should help them win more games this season.
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