Max Strus, Cavaliers
Getty
Max Strus of the Cleveland Cavaliers reacts after making a half-court buzzer-beater shot to defeat the Dallas Mavericks.
The Cleveland Cavaliers are among the teams monitoring Malik Beasley’s free agency, and a significant injury to forward Max Strus has only heightened the urgency. The sharpshooting guard is one of the most sought-after free agents left on the market, but Cleveland faces an uphill climb in meeting his contract expectations.
Beasley, 28, was cleared last week of a federal investigation into alleged gambling ties, but the NBA is expected to conduct its own review before any signing can move forward. League sources told The Stein Line’s Jake Fischer that while multiple teams have checked in, no negotiations have progressed toward a deal.
“None of the conversations, to this point, have advanced to the deal-making stage, with the league office itself also expected to conduct its own investigation of Beasley,” Fischer reported on Thursday.
Malik Beasley, Knicks
Getty Malik Beasley of the Detroit Pistons was scorching hot from the outside last season.
Beasley’s appeal is obvious. He averaged 16.3 points last season with the Detroit Pistons, finishing as the runner-up for Sixth Man of the Year. He also set a franchise record with 319 made 3-pointers, shooting 41.6% from beyond the arc on high volume. His combination of instant offense and floor spacing makes him a natural fit for teams like Cleveland, whose backcourt tandem of Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland thrives when surrounded by shooters.
Cavaliers’ Financial Disadvantage
The Cavaliers, along with the New York Knicks and Minnesota Timberwolves, are in the mix for Beasley’s services, but all three teams can only offer the veteran minimum. Beasley, according to Fischer, is expected to seek a deal “north of the veteran minimum,” likely eliminating teams without cap flexibility.
That gives Detroit a strong advantage. The Pistons still hold Beasley’s non-Bird rights and can offer him $7.2 million annually despite a roster already stocked with perimeter players like Caris LeVert and Duncan Robinson, according to Spotrac’s Keith Smith. Before the investigation was launched in June, Detroit had been preparing a three-year, $42 million deal for Beasley.
For now, the Cavaliers must hope the Pistons pivot elsewhere or that Beasley’s market narrows enough for him to consider a minimum offer in exchange for a meaningful role on a playoff contender.
Strus Injury Raises Stakes
Cleveland’s pursuit has taken on new urgency after the team announced that Strus, their starting forward, suffered a significant foot injury during offseason training. Strus underwent surgery on Tuesday to repair a Jones fracture in his left foot, with an expected recovery timetable of three to four months.
“Cleveland Cavaliers forward Max Strus underwent successful surgery today to repair a Jones Fracture (fifth metatarsal) in his left foot, suffered recently during offseason training,” the team said in a statement. The procedure was performed by Dr. David Porter in consultation with team physician Dr. James Rosneck at Forte Sports Medicine and Orthopedics in Indianapolis.
Strus, who started in 37 games last season, was a reliable shooter and secondary playmaker in Cleveland’s rotation. His absence for training camp — and possibly into the regular season — leaves a major hole on the wing. That vacancy makes Beasley an even more attractive target for the Cavaliers, who now lack both shooting depth and scoring insurance on the perimeter.