The Cavaliers should be getting some help soon.
According to Joe Vardon of The Athletic, guard Max Strus is nearing a return and could be back within the next week as he continues working his way back from foot surgery.
Strus underwent offseason surgery to repair a Jones fracture in his left foot and has not played this season. The veteran wing appeared in 50 games for Cleveland last year, averaging 9.4 points, 4.3 rebounds and 3.2 assists while shooting 38.6 percent from three.
When healthy, Strus provides spacing and another playmaker on the perimeter, something the Cavs have missed at times this season. He also is a willing and capable defender of multiple positions.
“We all know who he is to us,” Cavs guard Donovan Mitchell said recently. “Just for him to be out there (in huddles) kind of talking to me, talking to James (Harden), talking to Dean (Wade), talking to (Evan Mobley), talking to Dennis (Schroder), Keon (Ellis) like whoever, that’s another high-IQ player kind of giving you what he sees out there.”
Strus remains out for Wednesday’s road game against the Magic. Center Jarrett Allen is also listed out with a knee injury, marking the third straight game he will miss.
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I’m as encouraged about Strus in Cleveland as I’ve ever been. No disrespect to Garland, but he is returning to a more natural catch and shoot rhythm with James Harden assisting and controlling general game tempo. Our chances of playing inside out are improved. And Strus can tune into Schroeder too as he plays pretty consistently.
Better overall flow is good sign for a guy who can be a rhythm shooter. No disrespect to Merrill, I’m hoping Strus can earn those minutes back, as he brings a little more to the floor than Merrill when their shots are not falling.
In a way it’s good that it’s taken this long to return, so he can return to the right situation, and settle into his role that much more comfortably and quicker.