Cavaliers: Grading 5 free agent wings from ‘no way’ to ‘yes please’
Max Strus – Yes, please!
Speaking of strong performances in the playoffs, Max Strus is proving yet again that he is a guy you can go to war with in the NBA playoffs. Whether or not the Miami Heat make the NBA Finals, Strus has been a major part of an eight seed fighting their way to within a game of the Finals.
The theory of Strus is of a knockdown shooter who is a good defender; he’s not a true lockdown defender but he’s good enough that teams can’t find an advantage against him. For a Cavaliers team with Mobley and Allen on the back line, that might be enough.
Strus is a career 37.1 percent 3-point shooter on high volume, and he has an excellent form on his jumper that allows him to get it off in traffic, off movement, or even from 28 feet out. That level of shot versatility will unlock a number of ways for the Cavs to deploy him on offense. He’s not much of a playmaker but he can dribble and pass in advantage situations when called upon.
Next. Return or Burn: How should the Cavaliers handle each free agent?. dark
Will Strus sign for the MLE? That’s a great question, and he certainly could earn more, but at some point, the cap space teams will dry up and a few of these wings will be available. If Strus is one of those players the Cavs should extend the offer, looking to get a proven playoff performer to step onto the team and into their starting lineup.