In a multi-team trade involving the Cleveland Cavaliers, the LA Clippers received Max Strus, a seven-year veteran and one of the best three-point shooters in the league. Though it’s a bummer the Clippers missed out on Peyton Watson, adding Strus to a team that needs exactly what he specializes in was a smart move, no matter how you look at it.
With Strus comes his contract, which contains a key detail. His four-year, $62.2 million deal, signed in 2023 to the Cleveland Cavaliers, expires next summer. As that is easily flippable, it’s obvious the Clippers will move him at the deadline for whatever they can get in return.
Additionally, the Clippers shipping Strus away by early February will create space in an extremely guard-heavy rotation.
Max Strus is probably only going to be a Clipper for half of a season
There is no doubt the LA Clippers will enjoy Max Strus' highly likely brief tenure. He brings a respectable story to LA, as he carved out a long-lasting NBA career after going undrafted in 2019, and will immediately positively impact the Clippers’ offense with how well he shoots the ball.
Last season, in 12 games, Strus posted 11.2 points and 5.4 rebounds, shooting 40.2% from beyond the arc on 6.8 attempts.
These numbers are nothing short of elite in terms of three-point prowess, and beyond that, adding Strus is a move Darius Garland certainly approves of, as they were close teammates with a strong bond in their days as a Cleveland Cavalier.
But because the NBA is a business, and teams must operate toward what’s most beneficial under the CBA, expiring contracts are more valuable than ever, which helps explain why Strus might not spend much time with the Clippers' organization.
And it’s not like the Clippers paid an arm and a leg to get him. All they really gave up was the second-round pick they received from the Johni Broome trade with the Philadelphia 76ers over the summer.
So, at the end of the day, it makes all the sense in the world to part ways with Strus at the trade deadline.
The only way the 30-year-old somehow manages to stick around for the long run is if he plays so well that the Clippers absolutely need him, which, in all honesty, probably won’t be the case. Top-notch three-point shooters are easily replaceable, especially when that's one of the only valuable trait brought to the table.
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