NBA Rumors: Cavs, Max Strus, Knicks, Guerschon Yabusele, Thunder

Cavaliers

The Cavaliers’ trade board extends beyond the De’Andre Hunter deal with the Kings.

Sources tell Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com that the Cavs have received outside interest in Max Strus, who has yet to play this season following offseason foot surgery. Strus is under contract through 2026–27, and that final year looms larger as the roster picture evolves.

One factor to watch is Keon Ellis, who becomes extension-eligible on February 9. If the Cavs view Ellis as a long-term piece, it could influence how they approach their perimeter rotation moving forward.

That said, the expectation is that any serious Strus discussions would be more likely to occur in the offseason, not before Thursday’s deadline.

As we relayed earlier, the Cavs also continue to dangle Lonzo Ball, whose $10 million team option for next season functions much like an expiring contract.

Ball has struggled to find consistency in his first year with the Cavs and remains part of broader salary-matching conversations.

Knicks

New York is still trying to find a landing spot for Guerschon Yabusele, but rival teams view his contract as a negative asset, according to The Athletic’s James Edwards III.

The prevailing belief is that the Knicks would need to attach draft compensation to move Yabusele unless he is folded into a larger multi-team construction.

Edwards lists him among the most likely Knicks to be moved, along with Pacome Dadiet, Tyler Kolek, and Jordan Clarkson.

Clarkson, who has recently fallen out of the rotation, could emerge as a buyout candidate after the deadline if both sides decide to move on.

Thunder

Oklahoma City may be willing to part with Ousmane Dieng.

Justin Martinez of The Oklahoman reports there is a real possibility the fourth-year forward is traded by Thursday’s deadline, with Dieng viewed as one of the Thunder’s most movable pieces.

“I don’t really think about it,” Dieng said. “I’m just trying to improve every day and help the team win.”

For a Thunder team balancing development with contention, that decision may come down to timing rather than talent.