Another notable Heat developmental success story Max Strus agrees to 4-year, $63M sign-and-trade with Cavaliers
Max Strus, a free agent guard, and the Cleveland Cavaliers have reached an agreement on a four-year, $63 million contract, as his agents, Mark Bartelstein and Kieran Piller of Priority Sports, informed ESPN on Saturday morning.
According to sources who spoke to ESPN, the Cavaliers have acquired Strus as part of a three-team sign-and-trade deal that will send Lamar Stevens, Cedi Osman, and a second-round selection to the San Antonio Spurs and a second-round pick from Cleveland to the Miami Heat.
After making shooting a top objective for the Cavaliers during the offseason, general manager Mike Gansey and president of basketball operations Koby Altman signed guards Georges Niang of the Sixers and Strus in the first hours of free agency while keeping Caris LeVert for a two-year, $32 million contract.
Another notable Heat developmental success story, Strus, 27, was crucial to the team’s run to the NBA Finals in the previous campaign. For the Heat, Strus averaged a career-high 11.5 points.
Strus’s strong work ethic and outside shooting ability have earned him plaudits from coaches and teammates in the last few seasons. Strus had started all 18 of the Heat’s playoff games prior to starting all 23 of them.
The DePaul alum is a career 37.1% shooter from beyond the arc but ran hot and cold during the playoffs. He was a good barometer for how well Miami played as he shot 37.2% from 3 in wins and 24.6% in losses.
In addition to Strus, guard Ty Jerome’s agent Mark Bartelstein of Priority Sports told ESPN that the Cavaliers had also agreed to a two-year, $5 million contract with Jerome. In 45 games with the Golden State Warriors last season, Jerome, who turns 26 later this month, averaged almost 7 points and 3 assists while shooting 38.9% from outside the 3-point line.
According to ESPN sources, the Cavaliers also signed centre Damian Jones to a separate contract with the Utah Jazz. Jones just gave his $2.6 million to the Cavaliers.
With career averages of 5.2 points and 3.4 rebounds, Jones, who recently turned 28, gives Cleveland’s frontcourt greater depth.
