(Photo by Nick Cammett/Getty Images)
The Cleveland Cavaliers needed to round out their roster and add a small forward for their closing lineup, and they did a great job of that in the offseason.
They lured Max Strus away from the Miami Heat, signing him at the eleventh hour when it seemed like he was poised to sign with the Indiana Pacers.
However, a recent report by Minnesota Timberwolves insider Dane Moore states that he wasn’t their first choice.
Apparently, the Cavaliers targeted big man Naz Reid instead, up to the point where they would have made the very same offer of four years and $63 million.
Explained this on the pod: 4 yrs/$63M (Max Strus deal) vs. 3 yrs/$42M (what Naz Reid signed for) might seem bigger than it is.
But yeah, I was told Reid was gonna be offered “the Strus money” by Cleveland — though it would be complicated, given Strus was added via sign + trade. https://t.co/TdytXbplXh
— Dane Moore (@DaneMooreNBA) July 24, 2023
Reid instead got three years for $42 million to stay in Minnesota.
This situation is kind of strange for many reasons.
For starters, the Cavs already have Jarrett Allen there, and they showed no interest in moving on from him.
Who would’ve started?
Would they have moved on from Allen?
Likewise, Reid is currently a backup to both Karl-Anthony Towns and Rudy Gobert, so the fact that he decided to stay there for less money is kind of odd.
Whatever the case, Reid wound up staying put, and the Cavs went for Strus, who might be a better fit for what they currently needed.
Even so, the fact that the Cavs went after him hints at potential discontent with Allen’s game, so it wouldn’t be shocking to see him on the trade block at some point next season.
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