At the end of last season, the Cleveland Cavaliers knew they had to address the small forward position and add some more shooting, so they did just that on Day 1 of NBA free agency.
According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, Cleveland will acquire Max Strus in a three-team sign-and-trade agreement that’ll send Cedi Osman, Lamar Stevens, and a second-round pick to the San Antonio Spurs and a Cleveland second-round pick to the Miami Heat.
Strus, 27, signed a four-year, $63 million deal with the Cavs and will probably be the team’s opening-day starter at the small forward position.
Last season, Strus, who was an undrafted free agent, averaged a career-high 11.5 points per game on 35% shooting from three-point range and made a career-high 197 threes. The four-year veteran was a key piece for a Heat team that made it to NBA Finals, and the Cavs hope he can do the same in Cleveland.
Niang joins the Cavs
Cleveland also added more shooting when they signed former 76ers forward Georges Niang.
According to Wojnarowski, it’s a three-year, $26 million contract.
Like Strus, Niang,30, can fill it up from deep. Last season, off Philly’s bench, he averaged 8.2 points per contest on 40% shooting from three-point range.
The seven-year veteran will definitely give the Cavs more shooting and is a nice piece off the bench.
LeVert stays in the Land
The Cavs keep Caris LeVert in the fold. According to Wojnarowski, it’s a two-year, $32 million contract for LeVert.
LeVert, 30, started 30 games for the Cavs last season. The seven-year veteran averaged 12.1 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 3.8 assists per contest in 2022-23. LeVert had his best season as a pro from three-point range, with career highs in three-point percentage and threes made(39%, 127).
Last season, LaVert began the season in the starting lineup but mostly came off the bench. He’ll probably have a similar role next season.
Cleveland should be happy after Day 1 of NBA free agency. They kept a solid piece(LeVert) and added more shooting.
Cleveland’s small forward position was like a revolving door last season; whether it was Isaac Okoro, LeVert, Dean Wade, or Stevens, there was no consistency. Again, hopefully, that’s a different story next season.
On paper, the Cavs, who lost to the Knicks in five games in the first round of the playoffs, look like a better team than they were at the season’s end.
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