Cavs' Max Strus Out 3-4 Months After Surgery on Foot Injury

The Cleveland Cavaliers will not have Max Strus available at the start of the 2025-26 season.

Cleveland announced Tuesday that Strus underwent successful surgery to address a Jones Fracture (fifth metatarsal) in his left foot. He suffered the injury when he was training during the offseason, and he will not be able to participate in basketball activities for three to four months.

Strus missed the start of last season as well because of an ankle injury and didn't make his debut until a Dec. 20 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks. He ended up playing 50 contests in 2024-25, which was his second season with the Cavaliers.

The swingman averaged 9.4 points, 4.3 rebounds and 3.2 assists while shooting 44.2 percent from the field and 38.6 percent from deep in those 50 games. He also averaged a career-best 12.2 points per game in 2023-24 in his first season with Cleveland.

At his best, Strus is someone who can take advantage of openings created by opposing defenses collapsing on star players because of his outside shooting prowess. That makes him an ideal candidate to play alongside Donovan Mitchell and Evan Mobley in various lineups for the Eastern Conference team.

Cleveland will miss that perimeter shooting when he is sidelined and will need to turn elsewhere to replicate it. 

Notably, Michael Scotto of HoopsHype reported Sunday that the Cavaliers "checked in on Malik Beasley," which would be an intriguing addition because of how effective he is from beyond the arc.

If they don't add him, players such as De'Andre Hunter, Dean Wade and Sam Merrill will likely be asked to take on more offensive responsibility until Strus is ready to return.

Cleveland starts the 2025-26 regular season on Oct. 22 against the New York Knicks in a showdown between presumed Eastern Conference contenders.