Pacers Rumors: Heat FA Max Strus Targeted for 3-Year, $48M Contract amid Cavs Buzz
Max Strus may have made himself some serious coin after his strong 2022-23 postseason.
According to NBA reporter Marc Stein, "The Indiana Pacers, who are projected to have more than $30 million in salary-cap space, are strongly weighing a three-year offer for Strus in the $48 million range."
The Pacers could face some serious competition for his signature, however.
Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports reported earlier on Wednesday that there are "several teams often mentioned by league personnel as Strus suitors, from those with cap room like Detroit, Indiana and Orlando, to teams that have the full mid-level exception like Cleveland, and others that are working to get under the first tax apron and gain access to that $12.2 million salary slot."
Strus, 27, only started 33 games for the Heat last season in 80 total appearances, averaging 11.5 points per game while shooting just 35 percent from three. But when Tyler Herro broke his hand in the playoffs and only made one postseason appearance in Miami's run to the NBA Finals, Strus stepped into the starting lineup, putting up 9.3 points per game while shooting 31.9 percent from deep.
A poor showing in the NBA Finals (5.8 PPG, 18.7 percent from three) in particular dragged down his overall playoff stats.
Still, his role in helping the Heat surprisingly make the Finals in the first place likely earned him some money. Wings who can hit threes, put the ball on the floor against aggressive closeouts and hold their own defensively are always valuable, and Strus checks those boxes.
As for the Pacers, the team finds itself in a bit of rebuilding limbo, with a core of intriguing young players like Tyrese Haliburton, Bennedict Mathurin, Jalen Smith, Chris Duarte and incoming rookies Jarace Walker and Ben Sheppard to go along with an older veteran cast of Myles Turner and Buddy Hield.
Strus fits either timeline given his skill set as a secondary offensive threat, making him a logical target for Indiana with its cap space. But it sounds as though he'll be a popular target this summer.
