Cavaliers weigh Strus trade in bid to re-sign Wade, ease tax pressure
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ESPN’s Brian Windhorst said on “ESPN Cleveland” that Cleveland is exploring the possibility of moving swingman Max Strus to slip below the NBA’s second tax apron and free up room to bring back forward Dean Wade.
Strus, 30, becomes extension-eligible this summer and has one season remaining on his $16.7 million contract. According to Windhorst, the veteran shooter would likely attract interest around the league, and the Cavaliers already have 6-foot-8 rookie Jaylon Tyson available at a similar position. Cleveland does not have another forward with Wade’s size who can play all three front-court spots, Windhorst added.
Keeping Wade is considered a priority, but his market could be costly. Marc Stein and Jake Fischer report that the 27-year-old is expected to receive a significant portion of the non-taxpayer mid-level exception, projected to start near $15 million and total up to $64.7 million over four years. If Wade remains unsigned when league-wide free agency opens on June 30, the 76ers and other playoff clubs are expected to pursue him.
Defensive wing Keon Ellis is viewed as unlikely to return unless Wade departs, per Stein and Fischer. The Nets are among the teams monitoring Ellis because of his prior connection with head coach Jordi Fernandez in Sacramento.
Windhorst noted that Cleveland would prefer to unload Dennis Schröder’s contract to lighten its financial load, but finding a taker could prove difficult. Schröder is owed $14.8 million next season and $15.5 million in 2027-28, with only $4.4 million of the latter year guaranteed.
Source: Hoops Rumors
