Max Strus helped Miami get to the NBA Finals, and his stock soared in the process.
The 27-year-old is headed to the Cleveland Cavaliers, agreeing to a $63 million US, four-year deal that was finalized Saturday by making the transaction part of a three-team trade, according to two people familiar with the negotiations.
Strus goes to the Cavaliers, who will send Cedi Osman and Lamar Stevens to San Antonio while Miami gets future second-round draft compensation, said the people who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the trade terms have not been approved by the NBA.
ESPN first reported the trade agreement.
Free agent Max Strus has agreed on a four-year, $63M sign-and-trade with the Cleveland Cavaliers, agent Mark Bartelstein of <a href=”https://twitter.com/PrioritySports?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>@PrioritySports</a> tells ESPN. In three-team deal, Heat get a second-round pick and Spurs acquire Cedi Osman, Lamar Stevens and a second-rounder. <a href=”https://t.co/xKAmqlx3aF”>pic.twitter.com/xKAmqlx3aF</a>
—@wojespn
Strus was a starter for Miami in its playoff runs over the last two years, including this past season’s trip to the finals against Denver. He averaged a career-best 11.5 points per game this past season and has shot 37 per cent from 3-point range in his career.
Cleveland clearly prioritized shooting. The Cavs struck deals with Caris LeVert ($32 million, two years) and Georges Niang ($26 million, three years) on Friday; Niang is a career 40 per cent shooter on 3s, and LeVert shot a career-best 39 per cent from beyond the arc this past season.
Many players stayed put: Jerami Grant ($160 million, five years) remains in Portland, Kyrie Irving ($126 million, three years) remains in Dallas, Cam Johnson ($108 million, four years) stays in Brooklyn, Khris Middleton ($102 million, three years) stays in Milwaukee, Kyle Kuzma ($102 million, four years) remains in Washington and Draymond Green ($100 million, four years) remains with Golden State.
And two players eligible for rookie-scale extensions also cashed in early Saturday on deals that will take effect in 2024-25 — Desmond Bane in Memphis and Tyrese Haliburton in Indiana got contracts that will be worth an estimated $207 million apiece over five years, with Haliburton potentially able to reach $260 million if he makes an All-NBA team.
For all the latest Sports News Click Here
