Orlando Magic v Cleveland Cavaliers Max Strus
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The Orlando Magic’s shooting woes could make Max Strus a logical trade-deadline target.
The Orlando Magic have spent years searching for reliable perimeter shooting, and as Thursday’s trade deadline approaches, that familiar weakness has resurfaced at a critical moment. Despite clear defensive growth and steady development from their young core, Orlando remains one of the league’s least efficient three-point shooting teams, making veteran wing Max Strus an increasingly logical target as the Cleveland Cavaliers quietly reshape their roster.
According to ClutchPoints insider Brett Siegel, Strus’ future in Cleveland has become increasingly uncertain following the Cavaliers’ latest personnel moves.
“Strus’ days with the Cavs appear to be numbered after the team acquired Ellis and Schroder, and if he isn’t dealt before Thursday’s deadline, he will be a prime trade candidate in the offseason, entering the final year of his contract,” Siegel reported.
That uncertainty creates opportunity, particularly for an Orlando team seeking immediate spacing help without sacrificing long-term flexibility.
Cleveland’s Moves Open the Door
Cleveland’s roster calculus shifted following a multi-team deal that sent De’Andre Hunter to the Sacramento Kings. In return, the Cavaliers acquired Keon Ellis and Dennis Schroder, while the Chicago Bulls received Dario Saric and two future second-round picks. Chicago waived Jevon Carter to complete the transaction and sent two-way player Emanuel Miller to Cleveland.
The immediate result is a growing guard-and-wing logjam. That squeeze puts Strus, who has yet to play this season after undergoing August surgery to repair a Jones fracture in his left foot, in a more situational role. With Ellis and Schroder now in the rotation, Cleveland’s need for Strus’ shooting is no longer essential, making him a movable piece rather than a foundational one.
Magic’s Shooting Problem Isn’t New
For Orlando, the fit is obvious. The Magic are currently tied for the fourth-worst three-point shooting percentage in the NBA at 34.3 percent and have not ranked better than bottom-10 from deep since the 2018-19 season. That trend has consistently cramped the floor, especially in half-court settings where defenses load the paint.
Strus directly addresses that issue. A career 37 percent shooter from three, he is coming off a strong 2024-25 campaign in which he shot nearly 39 percent on roughly six attempts per game. On Orlando’s current roster, that production would immediately lead the team in both three-point percentage and volume, adding instant credibility and reliable spacing. That impact goes beyond raw numbers.
A movement shooter like Strus changes how defenses are forced to guard Orlando. His off-ball gravity pulls defenders out of help positions, creating wider driving lanes and cleaner reads. That spacing benefits shooters such as Desmond Bane and Jalen Suggs, while also unlocking more favorable matchups for Orlando’s stars.
More importantly, it eases the offensive burden on Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner. Both routinely draw extra attention in the half court, only to kick out to inconsistent perimeter shooting. With Strus on the floor, those kick-outs become higher-percentage outcomes, forcing defenses to choose between doubling Banchero or living with dependable perimeter looks.
A Clean Contract Fit for a Deadline Buyer
Strus’ contract further strengthens Orlando’s case. Owed roughly $16 million through next season, he profiles as a one-and-a-half-year rental, short enough to preserve flexibility, but long enough to matter. If the fit works, Orlando gains a proven, playoff-tested shooter under contract. If it doesn’t, his expiring deal becomes a clean, movable asset.
The Magic have reportedly made Goga Bitadze, Jonathan Isaac, and Tyus Jones available in discussions, signaling openness to rebalancing the roster. Orlando doesn’t need a star. It needs reliability. It needs spacing. And it needs a move that raises its offensive floor without compromising the future.
Max Strus checks each box and as Cleveland weighs its options, Orlando stands out as one of the most logical destinations to make it work.