Cap Insider Says Cavaliers’ Max Strus Has 7th-Best Contract In NBA

NBA cap insider Eric Pincus of Bleacher Report believes Cleveland Cavaliers wing Max Strus has the seventh-best contract in the NBA. 

Strus made $14.5 million last season. He’ll make $15.2 million in 2024-25. 

“The Cavaliers acquired Max Strus via sign-and-trade from the Heat last July on a four-year, $62.3 million deal” Pincus wrote. “The 6’5” shooting wing started 70 games for the Cavaliers in 2023-24, averaging 12.2 points and 4.0 assists per game. Cleveland went on to win 48 games and a first-round playoff series against the Orlando Magic before falling to the Celtics. Strus played 36.2 minutes a game in the postseason. While his shooting dipped to 34.7 percent over that span, he was essential to what worked for the Cavs.

“For a starter on a playoff team, $15.9 million each for the next three seasons is an excellent price—especially with the salary cap expected to climb 10 percent per season.”

Strus averaged 12.2 points, 4.8 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 0.9 steals and 0.4 blocks last season in 70 games while shooting 41.8% from the field, 35.1% from beyond the arc and 79.4% from the free-throw line. 

The Cavaliers went 48-34 last season. They beat the Orlando Magic in the first round of the playoffs in seven games but lost to the Boston Celtics in the second round in five games. 

Strus averaged 9.5 points, 5.3 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 0.8 steals in the 2024 playoffs while shooting 40.8% overall, 34.7% from 3 and a perfect 100.0% from the free-throw line. 

A DePaul product, Strus has career NBA averages of 10.6 points, 3.2 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 0.6 steals and 0.2 blocks with the Miami Heat and Cavaliers. He turns 29 next season. 

The Cavaliers fired JB Bickerstaff as head coach and hired Kenny Atkinson this offseason.

Atkinson signed a five-year deal. 

“I am thrilled and honored to be named head coach of the Cleveland Cavaliers,” Atkinson said. “This is an incredible opportunity to lead an already talented young roster with an equally bright future. I’ve seen firsthand and had to prepare for this group as an opposing coach, and the task was not easy. I’m so excited to now be on this side of the ledger to help continue moving this team forward. I also want to thank Koby Altman and the front office for having the confidence in me and the shared vision we have for sustainable success in Cleveland.”