What Does Max Strus Bring To This Cavaliers Team and His Role?
Strus has started 107 of his 120 appearances for the Cavs. The 6-5 combo wing will come off the bench this year.
Cleveland has one of the best starting units in the NBA this year. But the Cavaliers’ bench has been below average despite being fairly deep. A big reason is that the Cavs’ reserves have struggled shooting the ball, particularly after the All-Star break.
Strus is known for his shooting gravity, knocking down 2.3 treys per game at a 37% clip throughout his career, and his defensive versatility. He is capable of guarding four positions, though he is best suited to play the 2 or 3, and is an excellent cutter. His toughness allows the Cavs to play smaller, faster lineups.
“He adds another connector. Him and Sam [Merrill] are that connector piece and at an elite level because they got the skill and then they have the know-how, IQ,” Cavs coach Kenny Atkinson said about what Strus brings. “I’d say the other area where we have [been] missing is his screening ability … Max can get that elite defender off our elite ball handlers, and then we get all the grit and the winning plays and big shots and all that. It’s exciting what that can look like.”
Cavaliers Projected Rotation Going Forward
Strus’ return to action projects to mean fewer minutes for Tyson and perhaps Wade. Once the postseason rolls around, as long as Strus shows he has returned to form, Atkinson will likely use a nine-man rotation.
Strus is not the only Cavalier sidelined due to injury. Allen has missed three straight games with a knee injury, though he could return against Dallas on Friday. Rookie Tyrese Proctor has also sat out the last three contests with a right quadriceps strain.
Starting Lineup
PG: James Harden
SG: Donovan Mitchell
SF: Sam Merrill
PF: Evan Mobley
C: Jarrett Allen
Reserves:
6th man: Keon Ellis
7th: Dean Wade
8th: Max Strus
9th: Dennis Schroder
10th: Jaylon Tyson or Thomas Bryant. Tyson and Bryant will likely see playoff minutes in specific situations: foul trouble, injuries, or matchups.
