Report: Indiana Pacers 'strongly weighing' a contract offer for Max Strus in free agency
According to a report from Marc Stein of The Stein Line, the Indiana Pacers are "strongly weighing" an offer for guard/wing Max Strus in free agency.
Strus is fresh off of an NBA Finals run with the Miami Heat. He averaged 11.5 points and 3.2 rebounds per game this past season while shooting 41% from the field and 35% from deep. He started 33 times for the Heat, sometimes at the two and other times at the three.
The undrafted wing from Illinois had a fantastic start to the 2023 NBA playoffs, averaging 10.3 points per game and shooting 35.9% from deep in the first three rounds of the postseason. His defense was solid, too. His Finals performance was awful, though, as he knocked down just 23.3% of his looks.
The six-foot-five-inch guard/wing just wrapped up a two-year minimum contract with Miami. He is generating interest as a popular name on the free agent market this year. In Stein's report, he mentions that the Pacers offer could be somewhere near three-years, $48 million, though it doesn't mention anything about total guaranteed money or options.
Indiana was reportedly interested in trading for a wing around the draft, and Strus could be a player of that positional mold. That said, he is a little small to be a full-time small forward. He played at shooting guard for much of the playoffs with Miami.
The Pacers also have several guard/wing hybrids on their roster already, such as Buddy Hield, Andrew Nembhard, Chris Duarte, Aaron Nesmith, and Bennedict Mathurin. Adding Strus to that mix could be an indication of change for at least one of those players to balance Indiana's rotation.
Strus is a four year veteran, with experience playing for both the Heat and Chicago Bulls. He turned 27 in March, so he is entering his prime years. He suffered a torn ACL and bone bruise in his left knee in December of 2019 but has remained mostly healthy since.
The DePaul product would certainly be a member of the blue and gold's rotation if they were to sign him. Despite having a crowded backcourt at the 2/3 positions, Strus is a peg above many of the team's players in that role. As the Pacers attempt to take a step forward toward contention, adding talent will be important in free agency.
Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports reported that Indiana could be a Strus suitor early on Wednesday.
The Pacers could have more than $32 million in salary cap space this offseason. They only have one standard roster spot at the moment, so they will either need to be picky with contracts or make a trade. They could be an active team in the coming days.
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