The Cleveland Cavaliers face tough decisions as free agency begins in a few days. As a result, the Cavaliers may have to choose between three key veterans.
Cavaliers Have Tough Upcoming Decisions, May Lose 2 Key Veterans This Offseason
After posting the Eastern Conference’s best record in 2024-25 with 64 wins, Cleveland finished with a disappointing 52-30 record this past season. Still, the Cavs reached the Conference Finals for the first time since 2017-18.
However, with free agency officially starting on July 1, the Cavaliers face tough decisions amid a huge financial crunch. The Cavs have committed $222.2 million to 11 players for the upcoming season, putting them over the second apron. James Harden has a $42.3 million team option, with a $13.2 million guarantee, that he is expected to decline, per NBA Insider Jake Fischer. Fischer said that Harden is amenable to cutting his annual salary for a multi-year deal, adding that the Cavs “should soon have a verbal agreement on a new multi-year deal” shortly.
Let’s assume that Harden and Cleveland agree to a two-year, $60 million deal. That would save the Cavs $12.3 million, leaving them slightly over the first apron. Even with Harden seemingly in the fold, the Cavaliers still have much to figure out with Dean Wade and Keon Ellis being unrestricted free agents.
What Can The Cavs Do?
It has been suggested that LeBron James could return to the Cavaliers for a swang song. One suggestion that has been floated is a sign-and-trade involving James coming to Cleveland for Jarrett Allen.
Allen is slated to make $28 million this coming season. While it is unlikely James would agree to a one-year, $20-to-$25 million deal, that would be the only way a deal would make sense for the Cavaliers. As it would allow them to at least get under the first apron. But a trade for James would hardcap the Cavs at the first apron, so they would have to cut major salary, and there have not been any indications that LeBron wants to reunite with his hometown team for a third go-around.
“There was a check-in call made, to my understanding, early in free agency, once teams were able to start negotiating with their own free agents after the NBA Finals,” ESPN’s Shams Charania said during Thursday’s episode of NBA Today. “Since then, though, there hasn’t been much communication, from my understanding, between the Lakers and LeBron James’ side. And certainly not an offer yet.”
“I would keep an eye on Max Strus. Dean Wade is going to be expensive, I think more expensive than the Cavs were hoping,” Brian Windhorst of ESPN said on ESPN Cleveland. I think Keon Ellis could be gone unless they lose Dean Wade. If they lose Dean Wade, I think they re-engineer the concept of Keon Ellis. I want to see if the Cavs are extending Max Strus or if they have to trade Max Strus. And the reason you would trade Max Strus is so that you could potentially afford to keep Dean Wade.”
Wade doesn’t put up eye-popping counting numbers. But the 29-year-old has massive league appeal as he is a dependable wing defender and floor spacer. He is expected to have several suitors and command between $ 11 and $15 million after making $6.6 million this past season. Detroit and Toronto are among the possible suitors for Wade.
Cleveland does hold Wade’s Bird rights, though the only way it appears the Cavs can re-sign him is by trading Strus. Re-signing Wade at those numbers would put the Cavaliers over the second apron, and they would still have to fill two roster spots.
Now, trading Strus shouldn’t be difficult. Strus is a two-way wing who can do a little bit of everything and is on an expiring contract at $16.6 million. He is also a reliable high-volume 3-point with 2.3 treys at a 37% clip.
The main question is, do the Cavaliers want to trade Strus to keep Wade? Wade is a unique player, and the Cavs have no one on the roster to fill his role. Conversely, Sam Merrill and Jaylon Tyson filled in admirably well in the 70 games Strus missed during the regular season.
Also, by trading Strus and re-signing Wade, the Cavaliers should be able to ink Ellis. Or if they lose Wade, then Ellis’ defensive versatility makes him more of a priority.
Ellis played well after the Cavs acquired the 26-year-old wing at the trade deadline from Sacramento. Ellis is a low-usage, point-of-attack defender who can guard all three backcourt spots.
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