Max Strus Sends Emotional Message To Cavaliers After Clippers Trade

A five-team trade moved Max Strus from the Cleveland Cavaliers to the LA Clippers on Aug. 19. Strus wrote a goodbye to Cleveland on Instagram, in a post that ran as a 20-image carousel.

"CLEVELAND! This one is indeed for you! The past 3 years have been nothing short of amazing. You guys welcomed me with open arms, and said goodbye with even more love than I could have ever imagined," Strus wrote.

Cleveland acquired Peyton Watson from Denver in a sign-and-trade and Cam Whitmore from Washington. Denver received a 2031 Cavaliers first-round pick, a 2032 Kings second-rounder, and Julian Reese, who is waived off a two-way contract. Los Angeles sent a 2027 second-round pick to Cleveland, which the Cavaliers then routed to Washington with Tre Mann and cash. Charlotte had agreed on Aug. 14 to send Mann to Cleveland for Dennis Schroder. That deal became the fifth leg. NBC Sports listed Cleveland and James Harden among the winners of the trade.

Watson signed a four-year, $88 million contract that includes a player option and a trade kicker.

Cleveland finished last season above the second apron. The Clippers' willingness to take on Strus's expiring deal gave the Cavaliers the room to chase Watson, who was in a contract standoff with Denver.

"We also want to recognize and thank Max for everything he has meant to the Cavaliers," Cavaliers president of basketball operations Koby Altman said. "He was an important part of our continued rise and the sustainable success we have worked to build, and we are incredibly grateful for the way he represented the Cavaliers every day. Max will always be an important part of this chapter of our organization, and we wish him and his family nothing but the best moving forward."

Cleveland signed Strus in July 2023 to a four-year, $63 million deal, acquiring him from Miami in a three-team sign-and-trade that sent Cedi Osman and Lamar Stevens to San Antonio. One season and roughly $16.6 million remain on that contract.

Over three years with the Cavaliers, Strus played 132 games, averaging 11.0 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 3.5 assists.

In 2023-24, Strus started 70 games, averaging 12.2 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 4.0 assists in 32.0 minutes.

On Feb. 27, 2024, Strus passed to Evan Mobley, received the return, and hit a 59-foot buzzer-beater to beat Dallas 121-119 at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. He scored 21 points with seven 3-pointers. This is the second-longest game-winner of the 3-point era, after Devonte' Graham's 61-footer in 2021.

A right ankle sprain during a workout on Oct. 17, 2024, kept Strus out of Cleveland's first 27 games. He returned Dec. 20, starting 37 of 50 games, averaging 9.4 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 3.2 assists, with a 38.6% 3-point shooting percentage.

A Jones fracture sidelined him for the first 67 games of 2025-26. Strus played 12 games, averaging 11.2 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 2.0 assists on 44.3% shooting.

Off the bench in Game 1 of the first round, Strus scored 24 points on 8-of-10 shooting, including 4-of-6 from 3-point range and 4-of-4 at the line, in 24 minutes of Cleveland's 126-113 win over Toronto. The Cavaliers reached the Eastern Conference finals for the first time since 2018 and were swept there by New York.

Strus also ran youth basketball camps and charity events in northeast Ohio through the Max Strus Family Foundation.

In Los Angeles, Strus rejoins Darius Garland, who was traded from Cleveland to the Clippers on Feb. 3 in the deal that brought Harden to the Cavaliers.

Clippers president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank said Strus competes on both ends of the court and can fill different roles with different groups.

"We are going to be highly competitive, and Max will be a big part of it," Frank said. "He is a good shooter who can handle and pass."

Strus turned 30 in March and enters his eighth NBA season. He has played for Chicago, Miami, and Cleveland.

Cleveland opens the regular season Oct. 22 at Philadelphia.