The Cleveland Cavaliers are entering the upcoming season with title aspirations after suffering a demoralizing series loss to the Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference Semifinals, after earning the first seed.
Cleveland’s depth took a hit in the offseason when backup point guard Ty Jerome departed in free agency for the Memphis Grizzlies. The backcourt was dealt another blow when Max Strus suffered a fracture in his left foot and underwent successful surgery, the team announced on Tuesday.
Strus has been an impactful player for the Cavaliers since arriving from the Miami Heat, and he will be entering the third year of a four-year, $63 million contract—one of the best current deals in the NBA given his production and ability to be a playoff-caliber starting guard.
Over his first two regular seasons in Cleveland, the 29-year-old has averaged 11.0 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 3.7 assists while shooting 42.6 percent from the field and 36.4 percent from three-point range on 6.4 attempts per game.
With Cleveland losing another key starter in Strus and All-Star Darius Garland set to miss significant time as well, the organization has decided to pivot to internal options to carry the team through the regular season.
“Without Max Strus and Darius Garland to begin the 2025–26 season, the Cavs will turn to Dean Wade, De’Andre Hunter, and Sam Merrill as key contributors alongside Donovan Mitchell, Evan Mobley, and Jarrett Allen. Wade will likely start alongside Merrill in the place of Strus and Garland. Head coach Kenny Atkinson is very high on Merrill’s abilities to step into a larger role this year, sources said,” wrote ClutchPoints’ Brett Siegel.
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Merrill recently re-signed with the Cavaliers on a four-year, $38 million contract in late June—an expensive deal considering he’s operated as a depth, rotational piece since his arrival in 2022.
However, Merrill’s minutes have gradually increased over his five-year career, and the organization believes in his ability to step into the starting lineup and thrive in Strus’s absence.
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The 28-year-old shooting guard posted 7.2 points, 2.2 rebounds, and 1.5 assists per game last season, shooting 40.6 percent overall and 37.2 percent from deep.
Merrill is expected to see increased usage this year, and if he takes the leap Cleveland is banking on, the Cavaliers may once again sit atop a weak Eastern Conference.
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