The Cleveland Cavaliers have arguably been the league’s biggest surprise this season; after being a middle of the pack playoff team in the Eastern Conference over the past two seasons, the Cavs have blossomed into one of the best teams in the association, and they’ve managed to notch the best record in the NBA through December 20th even though they’ve only recently gotten Max Strus back in the active lineup in their 124-101 win over the Milwaukee Bucks on Friday.

Strus was the Cavs’ main addition in free agency in 2023, and he introduced a different dynamic to the team’s offense as a shooter who thrives off of movement. And in his season debut for the Cavs, he put up nine points on 3-8 shooting from beyond the arc — serving to make the Cleveland squad just a bit deeper.

After the Cavs’ win over the Bucks, Strus gave a heartfelt message to fans who have done nothing but express their utmost support for the league-leading Cleveland team.

“Cavs fans, appreciate y’all welcoming me back. Thought you forgot about me but I’m back. Appreciate you all. Felt the love. Good win tonight,” Strus said, via the official Cavs account on X (formerly Twitter).

It might have been easy for Cavs fans to forget about Strus amid the team’s strong start to the season. The team has rotated through a few players at the three, with Isaac Okoro, Dean Wade, and Caris LeVert all logging heavy minutes at the position. Strus’ return will complicate Cleveland’s rotation, but his skillset is worth putting on the floor, as he creates so much space for the team’s offense with his ability to draw defensive attention from the perimeter.

For now, however, with Strus working his way back from injury, expect him to play close to the 19 minutes he did on Friday as the Cavs figure out their rotation.

Max Strus improves an already-deep Cavs team

Cavs guard Max Strus fights for loose ball

© Ken Blaze-Imagn Images

Max Strus’ efficiency from three may not be the best among volume marksmen in the association, but he plays very differently to the Cavs’ other options at the three, making him valuable in his own right. Isaac Okoro is the defensive/cutting specialist, Dean Wade is the low-usage glue guy who can fill multiple roles, while Strus can help grease the wheels of the team’s offense if teams pack the paint against their frontcourt.

Head coach Kenny Atkinson may not mess with what’s working, so Strus may not be able to feature for the Cavs as heavily as he did last season. But he should still play a role for the stacked 24-4 Cavs.