The Cleveland Cavaliers are actively searching for a trade involving Max Strus as they look to create additional financial flexibility for a potential pursuit of restricted free agents Peyton Watson or Jonathan Kuminga, according to Marc Stein.
Strus is entering the final season of a four-year, $62.3 million contract, making his salary one of Cleveland’s significant remaining financial commitments. The Cavaliers previously made Dennis Schroder available in trade discussions and ultimately sent him to Charlotte for Tre Mann, but Stein reports that Cleveland is now continuing to explore a deal involving Strus.
Finding a trade partner for Strus could be difficult this late in the offseason. Cleveland is attempting to preserve its ability to add another athletic forward while operating within a salary structure affected by Donovan Mitchell’s four-year extension worth up to $273 million.
Strus, 30, appeared in only 12 games during the 2025-26 regular season and averaged 11.2 points, 5.4 rebounds and 2.0 assists. He shot 40.2% from three-point range, giving Cleveland a perimeter shooting option, but his limited availability reduced his role during a season in which the Cavaliers finished 52-30.
Cleveland has already created some financial room by trading Schroder to Charlotte. The Cavaliers sent the veteran guard and cash considerations for Mann, reducing their salary commitments by approximately $6.8 million, with Schroder owed $14.8 million compared with Mann’s $8 million contract.
The Cavaliers are now evaluating whether moving Strus could provide another meaningful step toward adding Watson or Kuminga. Watson averaged 14.6 points, 4.9 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 0.9 steals and 1.1 blocks in 54 games last season while shooting 49.1% from the field and 41.1% from three-point range.
Denver is trying to retain Watson, with the Nuggets reportedly offering a five-year contract worth approximately $70 million. Watson’s representatives are believed to be seeking a contract closer to the five-year, $125 million extension Christian Braun received, potentially creating a sign-and-trade scenario if Cleveland can put together the necessary financial and trade structure.
Kuminga is another possibility, although Cleveland.com’s Chris Fedor previously reported that acquiring both forwards is highly unlikely because of Cleveland’s financial limitations and limited trade assets. Kuminga averaged 12.3 points, 5.3 rebounds and 2.1 assists while shooting 47.6% from the field in 16 games with Atlanta after joining the Hawks from Golden State.
Cleveland’s need for another forward became more apparent after Dean Wade signed a four-year, $39 million contract with Philadelphia and Keon Ellis agreed to a two-year, $18 million deal with Brooklyn. The Cavaliers added Mario Hezonja on a one-year, $2.8 million contract and retained Thomas Bryant on a one-year deal worth approximately $3.5 million.
The Cavaliers reached the Eastern Conference finals last season after defeating Toronto and Detroit in seven-game series. New York then swept Cleveland 4-0 before winning the championship over San Antonio, leaving the Cavaliers to improve a roster that already produced 52 regular-season victories.
Trading Strus would create another significant change to that rotation, but Cleveland’s current pursuit is centered on financial flexibility. The Cavaliers must determine whether the value of retaining Strus outweighs the opportunity to use his expiring salary to pursue Watson, Kuminga or another frontcourt target.
