Latest on Max Strus, Heat, Cavs

The Heat have engaged in trade talks with the Cavaliers and Spurs in a deal that would send Miami forward Max Strus to Cleveland, per Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports.

Cleveland has been active in trying to trade guard/forward Cedi Osman, Fischer noted, though it’s not been determined if the Spurs are interested. But the Heat are believed to have no desire to take on Osman’s $6.7 million contract.

In this scenario, Strus would be in a sign-and-trade to the Cavs, and the Heat are aiming to create a trade exception and land a second-round pick in any such deal, per Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald. 

The Cavs could potentially look for another team to take on Osman’s contract if the Spurs take a pass to complete the deal. Cleveland already intends to re-sign guard/forward Caris LeVert on a two-year contract (full post) and sign 76ers free agent forward Georges Niang to a three-year deal (full post).

One source told Hoops Wire that the Cavs remain “fairly determined” to acquire Strus and unload Osman.

Strus, 27, averaged 11.5 points on 41 percent shooting in 80 games last season, hitting 35 percent of his 3-point attempts, as the eighth-seeded Heat made a run to the Finals.

Osman, 28, had a slight dip in production last season, averaging 8.7 points and 2.3 rebounds in 77 games, shooting 45 percent from the field and 37 percent on 3-pointers. His 20.1 minutes per game were the lowest since his rookie year of 2017-18.

The Cavs guaranteed Osman’s deal earlier in the week, presumably with the idea of using his contract in a trade.

For now, though, it seems like the Cavs plan to land Strus — but the pathway to doing so remains very much up in the air.

Mentioned earlier that Heat refused to take specific player back in Strus sign and trade with Cavs. Cedi Osman, and Yahoo says Cavs now trying to get Spurs to take him to facilitate 3 team deal

— Barry Jackson (@flasportsbuzz) July 1, 2023