NBA
MS
#2

Max Strus

Forward · Cleveland Cavaliers · 6'5", 215 lb · Born Mar 28, 1996 · Hickory Hills, Illinois · Drafted Undrafted, 2019
Cleveland Cavaliers2× NBA FinalistUndraftedConnective wing
NBACleveland CavaliersForwards
Compare:vs Schrodervs Mitchellvs Mobleyvs Hardenvs Allenvs Tyson
In short

Max Strus is a floor-spacing, connective wing for the Cleveland Cavaliers. Undrafted out of DePaul in 2019, he became a rotation shooter for two Miami Finals teams before signing with Cleveland in 2023. Known for a famous 59-foot buzzer-beater, he provides shooting, secondary playmaking, and toughness on a contending Cavaliers team.

Matchup model · next gameMedium confidenceThu, Nov 12
@Chicago BullsAggressive hedge & help
Proj. points
11.2
range 8.5–13.9
Line 11
53%
to go over
Team win
44%
112–113
Poi 11.2 Lean overReb 5.4 Lean underAss 2 Lean overPRA 18.6 Lean over
Likely on himIsaac Okoro· 82 Perimeter DStrong defender
10+ pts66%15+ pts10%

Model lines Strus at 11.2 pts (range 8.5–13.9) vs a 11 line — a lean to clear it (53%).

Model favors Chicago Bulls (56%), projected 112–113, ~225 total at 96.9 pace.

Full matchup breakdown · all markets →
Balladex Matchup Model — modeled from real roster ratings, scoring baselines & defender-matchup history. Schedule, availability & head-to-head samples are illustrative in this prototype; production wires live schedule, injury & player-tracking feeds. Not betting advice.
✦ Ask anything about Strus
The Strus Story — narrated
Tap play to hear his story, told as a 90-second short.
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An undrafted DePaul scorer who reached two Finals — and hit a 59-foot buzzer-beater for Cleveland.

Strus led Division I in scoring at DePaul, went undrafted in 2019, and broke through with Miami.

🏫 DePaul · undraftedMiami breakthrough

He was a rotation shooter on the Heat's 2020 and 2023 Finals teams.

2× FinalistHeat shooter

Cleveland signed him for four years and $63M in 2023 for shooting and connective play.

4 yr / $63MSign-and-trade

He drilled a 59-foot buzzer-beater against Dallas — among the longest game-winners ever.

59-foot game-winner11.2 ppg · .402 3P
— end of story —
Want the full numbers? Open the breakdown →
PPG
11.2
2025-26
RPG
5.4
per game
APG
2
per game
FG%
.443
.402 from three
LIFE

Roots & the rise

An undrafted, hard-nosed floor-spacer and connector — a two-time Finalist who signed big in Cleveland.

Maxwell Strus was born in Hickory Hills, Illinois, near Chicago, and led all of Division I in scoring at DePaul before going undrafted in 2019. He broke through with Miami, becoming a key rotation shooter on the Heat's 2020 and 2023 Finals teams.

In 2023 he signed a four-year, $63 million deal with Cleveland via sign-and-trade, giving the Cavaliers shooting, secondary playmaking, and toughness. He's known for a 59-foot buzzer-beater against Dallas — one of the longest game-winners in NBA history — and provides connective wing play on a contender.

Sources: Wikipedia, NBA.com, Basketball-Reference.

BEYOND THE GAME

Beyond the game

Strus embodies the undrafted grinder's path — from leading Division I in scoring at DePaul to going undrafted, to two-way deals, to two NBA Finals and a $63 million contract. He has credited his tough, blue-collar Chicago-area upbringing and family for the chip-on-the-shoulder edge that defines his game.

On the court he's more than a shooter: he passes, cuts, competes defensively, and makes winning plays, the kind of connective wing that fits any lineup. His long-range buzzer-beater against Dallas — a 59-footer — became an instant highlight and a fitting symbol of a player who maximizes every possession.

PERSONALITY

The person

A tough, connective floor-spacer — shooting, passing, and effort from an undrafted grinder.

Floor-spacerA reliable high-volume three-point shooter who stretches defenses.
ConnectorPasses, cuts, and makes winning plays beyond just shooting.
Undrafted grinderDePaul scoring leader to two-time Finalist to a $63M deal.
PLAYER DNA

Archetype & ratings

Archetype
Shooter · Connector
Temperament
Connector
Leadership
58/100
Scoring59
Playmaking41
Rebounding63
Perimeter D62
Rim protection46
Spacing72
Athleticism70
Clutch63
a shooting, connective wing
ANALYSIS

What the numbers say

More than a shooter

Strus provides the floor-spacing every modern offense needs, but his value runs deeper — secondary playmaking, cutting, and competitive defense make him a connective wing who fits any lineup. On a Cleveland team with high-usage scorers, that combination of shooting and glue-work is exactly the complementary profile a contender wants.

STATS

Season by season

Per game

SeasonGPMINPTSREBASTFG%3P%
2025-261224.011.25.42.0.443.402

Source: Basketball-Reference.

ADVANCED

Advanced & historical

Where he sits in history

FinalsKey rotation wing on Miami's 2020 and 2023 NBA Finals teams
HighlightHit a 59-foot buzzer-beater vs Dallas — one of the longest game-winners in NBA history
CollegeLed all of Division I in scoring at DePaul before going undrafted

Hardware

2×
NBA Finalist (2020, 2023)
OUTLOOK

Where it's headed

AI-generated · updated July 13, 2026

A connective floor-spacer on a contender — shooting, passing, and toughness for Cleveland.

On a four-year, $63 million deal, Strus gives the Cavaliers reliable shooting plus the secondary playmaking and effort of a connective wing. His two-way and glue value make him a valuable complement to Cleveland's stars.

Three-point shootingStrong
Connective playmakingGood
CompetitivenessHigh
Self-creationLimited

Contract

Deal
4 yr / $63M signed 2023
Role
Connective wing spacer
Age
30 prime
Bottom line

An undrafted grinder turned two-time Finalist and connective wing. Shooting, passing, and toughness — the complementary glue Cleveland's stars need.

FAQ

Quick answers

Was Max Strus drafted?

No — he went undrafted in 2019 out of DePaul, where he led Division I in scoring, then reached two Finals with Miami before signing with Cleveland.

What is Max Strus's most famous highlight?

A 59-foot buzzer-beater against Dallas — one of the longest game-winning shots in NBA history.

How did Max Strus join the Cavaliers?

He signed a four-year, $63 million deal via sign-and-trade in 2023.