NBA Rumors: Cavs, Max Strus, Clippers, Bennedict Mathurin, Lakers

Cavaliers

Trading Dennis Schroder apparently wasn’t the end of the Cavaliers’ effort to create some financial breathing room.

Cleveland is still looking for a trade involving Max Strus, according to Marc Stein of The Stein Line, who reports that last week’s Schroder-for-Tre Mann deal hasn’t changed the team’s plans regarding the veteran wing.

Strus is entering the final year of his contract at $16.7 million.

The Cavs saved approximately $6.8 million by replacing Schroder’s $14.8 million salary with Mann’s $8 million deal, but Stein reports they’re seeking additional flexibility as they work to re-sign James Harden and potentially make another significant addition.

Restricted free agent Peyton Watson and unrestricted free agent Jonathan Kuminga remain among Cleveland’s targets.

Strus, a career 37 percent three-point shooter, was limited to 12 regular-season games last year following foot surgery. He returned for the postseason and played in all 18 Cavs games, averaging 9.6 points and 4.8 rebounds in 26.7 minutes.

Meanwhile, perhaps the summer’s longest-awaited contract is finally nearing the finish line.

A source familiar with the situation told Stein that Harden’s new multiyear agreement with Cleveland should be finalized “soon-ish.”

Harden has technically been a free agent since declining his $42.3 million player option in June, though the expectation throughout the process has been that he’ll return.

Clippers

The stalemate between Bennedict Mathurin and the Clippers continues.

Stein reports there hasn’t been much progress toward a new contract, while Mathurin’s representatives remain in discussions with the Pelicans, Bulls and Bucks.

The Clippers haven’t closed the door on keeping the restricted free agent, either. According to Stein, Los Angeles remains interested in re-signing Mathurin despite bringing back Bradley Beal on a two-year contract last week.

The Clippers’ roster situation could become crowded if the pending Kawhi Leonard trade is completed, so something eventually has to give.

Lakers

Luka Doncic has already spoken with incoming Lakers owners Bob Iger and Josh Kushner, Stein reports.

Doncic plans to meet with them in person when the opportunity presents itself. In the meantime, he’s doing a little team-building of his own.

Doncic is spending the summer in Slovenia and is expected to welcome 16 Lakers teammates to Ljubljana on Thursday. Rookie Cameron Carr is reportedly the only current Laker who won’t make the trip, as he’s required to attend the NBA’s rookie orientation at the same time.

Given everything else happening around the Lakers these days, a few days in Slovenia might not be the worst idea.