Reports: Cavs land Max Strus in sign-and-trade deal

Max Strus was a key player for the Heat in their run to the 2023 NBA Finals.

The Cleveland Cavaliers have reportedly added former Miami Heat swingman Max Strus via a sign-and-trade deal involving three teams. Per multiple reports, Strus will head to the Cavs on a four-year, $63 million deal as part of a trade that also involves the San Antonio Spurs.

Cavs receive: 

Heat receive: 

• 2026 second-round pick (from Lakers, via Cavs)

Spurs receive:

• Cedi Osman (via Cavs)
• Lamar Stevens (via Cavs)
• 2030 second-round pick (via Cavs)

In opening hours of free agency, Cleveland has significantly fortified its shooting — landing Max Strus and George Niang in free agency, and keeping Caris LeVert on a new two-year deal. Cavs worked three-way deal through late Friday to close on Strus acquisition.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 1, 2023

#Cavs add to free agency haul — and land their top target — with Max Strus sign-and-trade. Sources tell @clevelanddotcom the second-rounder going to San Antonio is Cleveland's 2030 second and the one going to Miami is the Los Angeles Lakers 2025 second.https://t.co/9XhYTNTYoW

— Chris Fedor (@ChrisFedor) July 1, 2023

Max Strus off to Cavaliers in sign-and-trade deal, Heat's NBA Finals starting backcourt gone. https://t.co/RPP4FvOUxM A recap of the Heat's roster whirlwind to this point in free agency.

— Ira Winderman (@IraHeatBeat) July 1, 2023

Strus, a formerly undrafted player, was a key player for Miami in its run to the 2023 NBA Finals. He averaged a career-best 11.5 points per game and also added 3.2 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game while shooting 35% overall during the regular season.

In the playoffs, his scoring dropped to 9.3 ppg, but he came up with several key scoring performances in the Heat’s series wins against the New York Knicks (in the Eastern Conference semifinals) and the Boston Celtics (in the East Finals).

His reported departure from the Heat comes a day after another standout undrafted player from last season’s team, guard Gabe Vincent, reportedly agreed to a three-year deal with the Los Angeles Lakers. Additionally, injured swingman Victor Oladipo was reportedly dealt to the Oklahoma City Thunder for future Draft picks.

Cleveland has been busy in the free agency window, reaching a deal to bring back swingman Caris LeVert while also reportedly adding 3-point marksman Georges Niang, too.

Osman is perhaps the most notable player changing teams in the deal as he has been a key reserve for the Cavs over the past two seasons. He posted 8.7 ppg, 2.3 rpg and 1.5 apg for the Cavs last season and will be part of the Spurs’ youth movement headlined by No. 1 overall pick Victor Wembanyama.

Stevens saw action in 61 games for the Cavs last season, mostly as a reserve. He averaged 5.3 ppg and 3.3 rpg as well as a career-best 31.6% on 3-pointers.