Why Max Strus Is Already an Underrated Pickup for Clippers

The Los Angeles Clippers were apart of a three team trade between them, the Denver Nuggets and Cleveland Cavaliers. The highlight of the move was guard Peyton Watson joining the Cavaliers and signing a new deal. 

Denver did not get back any players, but the Clippers got Max Strus back from Cleveland. Strus, 30, has proven to be a reliable piece on the perimeter for the Cavaliers and Miami Heat in the past. 

He’s a player who can play on both ends of the floor and his biggest asset is his shooting ability. Strus has a career 37 percent three point percentage, and in the playoffs is where he excels. 

Last season, Strus’ percentage surpassed 40 percent from downtown, and if he can continue to be consistent from the perimeter, he could be one of the Clippers’ biggest assets.

When looking at the amount of perimeter talent the Clippers have on their roster now, Max Strus rounds out a group of talented shooters. 

Los Angeles acquired Brandon Ingram earlier this offseason in a move that sent Kawhi Leonard back to the Toronto Raptors. 

The front office also decided to pursue one of the most consistent three point shooters in the NBA in Rui Hachimura. Hachimura is coming off a season in which he shot 44.3 percent from deep. 

Rookie guard Keaton Wagler was also known to be a threat from the perimeter in his days at Illinois, and if all of these players can put it together for Los Angeles this season, they could be an explosive offense. 

In terms of how long Strus may stay on this roster, that is to be determined. A lot of his future with the Clippers will depend on the kind of start the team has and how productive he can truly be. 

If there’s a situation in which Strus doesn’t fit with the team and the Clippers do see a lot of losing, there’s an open door for him to be traded elsewhere come the trade deadline. 

Since the start of last season, the Clippers have been prioritizing garnering assets and draft capital to build for the future. 

While it’s safe to assume the Clippers would like to have a great season with Max Strus on their roster, they could benefit from trading the veteran wing if the value is right. 

Max Strus could be a sneaky pickup for Los Angeles moving forward and his skill set could raise the ceiling of the offensive attack.