The Cleveland Cavaliers remain active on the trade front as Thursday’s 3 p.m. EST deadline approaches, according to multiple league sources.
Team president of basketball operations Koby Altman is reportedly focusing on moves that would send guard Lonzo Ball and forward Max Strus elsewhere, ClutchPoints journalist Brett Siegel reported. The Cavaliers already completed one deal Sunday, sending DeAndre Hunter to the Sacramento Kings for Dennis Schroder and Keon Ellis, but further transactions are considered likely.
Cap considerations drive decision-making
Cleveland is currently $13.9 million over the NBA’s second tax apron. Front-office executives believe Altman intends to shed that overage before the summer to regain financial flexibility.
Ball’s contract could help accomplish that goal. The 6-foot-6 guard is earning $10 million this season, and his deal carries a $10 million team option for 2024-25—effectively making it an expiring contract. On the floor, Ball is averaging 4.6 points and 3.9 assists in 21 minutes per game, and moving his salary may require attaching draft assets.
Strus viewed as expendable
Strus, still recovering from offseason foot surgery and yet to play this year, is owed roughly $16 million this season and $16.7 million next. The arrival of Schroder and Ellis has increased Cleveland’s backcourt depth, leaving Strus more available in trade discussions.
If no agreement materializes by Thursday’s cutoff, league insiders expect the Cavaliers to revisit deals involving Strus once the offseason market opens.
For now, Cleveland’s front office continues to explore scenarios that could ease the tax burden and reshape the roster before the league’s trade window closes.
Source: Hoops Wire
