Windhorst Dishes On Potential Cavs Trade Chip In Video Ahead of 2026 NBA Free Agency
Veteran wing Max Strus reportedly could be a trade candidate for the Cleveland Cavaliers this offseason as they attempt to navigate their salary cap situation.
During an appearance Friday on ESPN Cleveland's 5 Good Minutes With Windy (beginning at the 10:31 mark), ESPN NBA insider Brian Windhorst suggested that a Strus trade is a possibility for the Cavs in order to re-sign power forward Dean Wade, who is an impending free agent (h/t HoopsHype.com):
"I would keep an eye on Max Strus," Windhorst said. "Dean Wade is going to be expensive, I think more expensive than the Cavs were hoping. I think Keon Ellis could be gone unless they lose Dean Wade. If they lose Dean Wade, I think they re-engineer the concept of Keon Ellis.
"Max Strus is extension eligible, has one year at $19 million left on his contract. I want to see if the Cavs are extending Max Strus or if they have to trade Max Strus. And the reason you would trade Max Strus is so that you could potentially afford to keep Dean Wade."
Windhorst went on to say that while it is still possible the Cavs could keep both Strus and Wade, it will ultimately come down to how much money Wade commands on a new deal.
He also pointed out that Strus would likely be more expendable than Wade since the team already has a younger wing in 2024 No. 20 overall draft pick Jaylon Tyson, who broke out last season by averaging 13.2 points per game and shooting 44.6 percent from three-point range.
The 30-year-old Strus has spent the past three seasons in Cleveland after one season with the Chicago Bulls and three with the Miami Heat.
He has played some of his best basketball for the Cavaliers, particularly in 2023-24 when he started a career-high 70 games and averaged a career-high 12.2 points and 4.0 assists per game.
Injuries have been an issue over the past two seasons, though, as an ankle injury cost him 32 games in 2024-25, and he was limited to just 12 regular-season games in 2025-26 with a foot injury.
Strus was largely effective when he played last season, however, averaging 11.2 points, 5.4 rebounds, 2.8 three-pointers made and 2.0 assists per game, while shooting 44.3 percent from the floor and 40.2 percent from long range.
He also appeared in 18 playoff games during Cleveland's run to the Eastern Conference Finals, averaging 9.6 points, 4.8 rebounds, 2.1 trifectas and 2.1 assists.
While losing a player who can shoot the ball as well as Strus would not be ideal, it can be argued that Wade is more vital to the team's success as the main big off the bench behind Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen.
The 29-year-old Wade has had modest production over his seven seasons in Cleveland, averaging 5.3 points, 3.6 rebounds, 1.2 three-pointers made and 1.1 assists per game, but he is capable of stretching the floor at 6'9", which is a valuable asset.
Wade shoots 36.7 percent from beyond the arc for his career, and he shot 36.2 percent from deep last season to go along with averages of 5.8 points, 4.2 rebounds and 1.5 assists.
Although Wade made a palatable $6.6 million last season, a significant jump from that could result in some roster casualties, such as Strus.
