The Cavaliers made several summer departures, but the one that may sting most is Max Strus.
That’s the cleanest answer to the question hanging over Cleveland’s roster churn, even with Dennis Schröder, Dean Wade and Keon Ellis also gone. Each subtraction matters. But the Cavs are in a much better position than most teams operating in the second apron, and that’s the big story here: they were able to drop below that line, fix their biggest positional issue and keep most of the roster together.
That kind of maneuvering is rare. The Celtics once had to move on from Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis, both of whom later helped them win a title.
The Knicks, after their championship run, couldn’t afford Mitchell Robinson and watched him leave on a three-year, $47 million deal. Even the Thunder had to trade Lu Dort.
Cleveland avoided that kind of harsh reset.
The biggest piece of the puzzle is Peyton Watson, the sign-and-trade addition who steps into the open small forward spot. He gives the Cavs youth, length, athleticism and more dependable offense than Wade offered, while also taking over the team’s new stopper role against top scorers.
Mario Hezonja, signed to a one-year minimum contract, is another name to watch. He could help in the frontcourt if his overseas success translates more cleanly to the NBA.
Schröder’s departure is notable too. He played an important part in Cleveland’s run to the Eastern Conference finals after arriving from Sacramento at the February trade deadline, giving the bench stability behind James Harden and Donovan Mitchell.
But the Cavs do have internal options to fill that void: Craig Porter Jr., Tyrese Proctor and rookie second-round pick Meleek Thomas. With Kenny Atkinson’s background in player development, the challenge now is turning those young end-of-bench pieces into real rotational help.
If they’re not ready, Cleveland may have to revisit the trade market later, much like it did with Schröder.
Still, Strus is the hardest one to replace. Sam Merrill brings a similar look as a shooter and mover - the spacing, the off-ball activity, the pull he creates just by being out there.
But Strus brings more than that. His toughness, energy, leadership, grit, competitiveness, intensity and maturity are the qualities Cleveland will miss most.
In Other News...
Cam Whitmore Suddenly Feels Like A Bigger Cavs Question Than Expected
Cam Whitmores arrival in Cleveland was supposed to be one of the quieter parts of a sprawling five-team trade, a secondary piece next to Peyton Watson and the larger roster mechanics that came with it. But the former 20th overall pick brings a different kind of intrigue because he is also coming off a season cut short by a blood clot, and the Cavaliers have yet to spell out where he fits in their plans.
For now, the uncertainty is less about Whitmores talent than about the business of the move itself. Cleveland still has to sort through the roster and cap implications tied to the deal, and that has left open the possibility that Whitmore could be moved again or even waived before he ever settles in. In a summer full of transactions, he has quickly become one of the more interesting unresolved questions on the Cavs books. [Read more 🡒]
Cavaliers Just Paid A Popular Veteran Price In Latest Roster Shakeup
The Cavaliers made another notable roster move this week, sending Max Strus to the Clippers in a sprawling five-team deal that also pulled in the Nuggets, Hornets and Wizards. Clevelands part of the transaction also included moving Dennis Schroder to Charlotte and Tre Mann to Washington, a reminder that this front office is still actively reshaping the back end of the roster while trying to balance present needs with future flexibility.
For Cleveland, the Strus departure carries a little extra weight because he was one of the more popular veterans in the room, and president of basketball operations Koby Altman made sure to acknowledge both his and Schroders contributions. Moves like this are part of the NBAs business, but they still leave a mark when a team says goodbye to players who helped define its recent stretch. [Read more 🡒]
Cavaliers May Need An Unusual Final Roster Move To Finish This Deal
The Cavaliers are working through an awkward end-of-offseason squeeze, and it has little to do with on-court fit and everything to do with the math. After adding Peyton Watson and James Harden, Cleveland is hardcapped at the first apron, which leaves the front office with a fixed team salary limit of $208 million and very little room to maneuver as it tries to settle the roster.
One possible solution sits in the draft-rights stash of French center Ismael Kamagate, whose salary would likely come in lower than that of a veteran free agent. Kamagate is not expected to make a major impact this season, but his signing could give the Cavaliers some much-needed financial flexibility as they navigate the cap and finish assembling the roster. [Read more 🡒]