3 Free agency signings that will hurt Bulls’ rivals, 4 that will help them
By Tyler Watts
3. Cavs land Max Strus
The Cleveland Cavaliers entered the offseason with a clear need on the wing, and they were determined to upgrade their roster. Their front office wasted no time bringing back Caris LeVert, signing Georges Niang away from the 76ers, and acquiring Strus via a sign-and-trade. It turned into a three-team deal that sent Cedi Osman and Lamar Stevens to the Spurs.
Strus is coming off a breakout fourth NBA season where he averaged a career-high in points, rebounds, assists, steals, and minutes per game. The 27-year-old crushed the Bulls in the Play-In Tournament before starting every postseason game during the Heat’s run to the NBA Finals. It set him up for a massive contract, and Max Strus got a four-year deal worth $63 million from Cleveland.
The Bulls were not happy to see him go to a division rival. Max Strus is from Hickory Hills, Illinois, and he started his NBA career in Chicago. The 6’5 wing dropped 30 on the Bulls in the Play-In Tournament to help Miami reach the playoffs, and he loved every second of sticking it to his hometown team.
Max Strus got more than the mid-level exception from the Cavaliers, but he fills a need and will certainly help Cleveland next season as they look to get back to the playoffs. Can the Cavs make their first deep run since LeBron’s departure? If they do, Strus will play a key role in their success.