The Cleveland Cavaliers have been a force this season and are sitting pretty atop the NBA’s Eastern Conference at 33-4 on the heels of another 12-game winning streak.
The team is positioned to potentially have four All-Stars this season, which has impacted the role of sharpshooter Max Strus.
After starting all 70 games he played for the Cavs last season, Strus has come off the bench in each of his nine games played this season following his return from injury.
However, according to his recent thoughts, he doesn’t appear to be upset.
“Max Strus told us that he doesn’t care about whether he’s starting or coming off the bench. He just wants to help support the team in any way he can to help win,” insider Evan Dammarell wrote on X.
#Cavs sharpshooter Max Strus told us that he doesn’t care about whether he’s starting or coming off the bench. He just wants to help support the team in any way he can to help win.
— Evan Dammarell (@AmNotEvan) January 11, 2025
Strus is producing at his usual clip since returning, shooting 38.8 percent from 3-point range in his slightly reduced role, which has him playing 23.3 minutes per game, down from the 32.0 per game he played last year.
The team is 9-0 since he returned, with Dean Wade starting recently in place of Isaac Okoro, who also has returned from injury.
Okoro was starting earlier in the season and showed marked improvement as an outside shooter, making a career-high 44.8 percent from deep so far, but he and Strus are now both coming off the bench for the time being.
It’s possible Strus could re-enter the starting lineup at some point, but it’s great to hear that he has no problem doing whatever is asked of him.
NEXT: Stats Show Have Cavs Are Dominating Good Teams This Season
