One free agent target for Cavaliers from each remaining playoff team

Free Agent Target No. 3: Max Strus, Miami Heat

One of the latest victories of the Miami Heat developmental pipeline, Max Strus is on track to hit free agency after going undrafted and finding a home with the Heat. The 6’5″ wing is starting in the playoffs and hitting 41.4 percent of his 3-pointers, providing a key offensive outlet when teams double Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo.

Strus has played some of his best basketball in the playoffs, proving himself to be a reliable contributor when the games matter most. He has a smooth shooting stroke and is comfortable getting up shots even in traffic. In many ways he has replaced Duncan Robinson in the Miami rotation, providing nearly the same shooting output with much better defense.

That’s the needle the Cavaliers will need him to thread. At 6’5″ he can guard small forwards but it’s not where he is best deployed; rather, he would likely be the Sixth Man starting some games and coming off the bench in others, defending the opposing team’s best perimeter player. If he can do that and knock down 3-pointers, he’s a major upgrade over who the Cavs have now.

Strus will have many suitors in free agency, including his current team, so he won’t be a bargain free agent. If the Cavs are willing to offer most or all of their Non-Taxpayer Mid-Level, however, it could be enough for Strus to sign in Cleveland.