According to the latest NBA rumors, the Indiana Pacers are weighing a potential three-year contract in the $48 million range for Miami Heat forward Max Strus. The 6-foot-5 wing is an unrestricted free agent. A double-digit, multi-year deal would be a first for the DePaul product.
In August 2021, Strus signed a two-year, $3.42 million contract with Miami. “Sources tell ‘The Stein Line’ that the Indiana Pacers, who are projected to have more than $30 million in salary cap space, are strongly weighing a three-year offer for Strus in the $48 million range,” wrote Marc Stein.
Per multiple NBA betting sites, the Indiana Pacers hold 26th-ranked odds to win next season’s championship in 2024. Check out which sportsbooks are showing better odds for the New York Knicks, Atlanta Hawks, and Brooklyn Nets.
The Indiana Pacers are strongly weighing a three-year offer for Max Strus in the $48 million range, per @TheSteinLine
“Sources tell The Stein Line that the Indiana Pacers, who are projected to have more than $30 million in salary cap space, are strongly weighing a three-year… pic.twitter.com/ir8JbCwI0U
— NBACentral (@TheNBACentral) June 29, 2023
Max Strus, 27, made 33 starts in 80 appearances with the Miami Heat in the 2022-23 season. The fourth-year wing averaged career highs of 11.5 points, 3.2 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 28.4 minutes per game. He also shot 41% from the floor, 35% outside the arc, and 87.6% at the foul line.
In Miami’s 132-115 win over the Charlotte Hornets on Nov. 12, the forward scored a season-high 31 points in 39 minutes as a starter. Along with logging four boards, two assists, and one steal, Strus finished 10-of-16 (62.5%) shooting from the field and 8-of-14 (57.1%) from 3-point range.
NBA Rumors: Indiana Pacers mulling a potential three-year offer for Miami Heat forward Max Strus in the $48 million range
The Orlando Magic and Detroit Pistons are also interested in adding Max Strus, and both teams have the cap space to go above the mid-level exception of $12.4 million next season to get him, per Yahoo Sports’ Jake Fischer.
Strus has earned $3.8 million over his four NBA seasons. The Illinois native finished 12th in 3-point attempts (563) and 13th in turnover percentage (7.8%) this past season.
Of course, in Miami’s 108-102 victory against the Milwaukee Bucks on Jan. 12, Strus posted 12 points and a career-high 10 rebounds in 41 minutes of action. In a 124-98 win against the New Orleans Pelicans on Jan. 18, Strus recorded 16 points and a career-high 10 assists in 27 minutes off the bench.
The Indiana Pacers are strongly weighing an offer to Max Strus in the $48 million range, per @TheSteinLine
Max and Jimmy’s relationship >> pic.twitter.com/F62zuvpE0L
— Playbook Sports (@PlaybookSN) June 29, 2023
During Game 2 in the first round of the 2023 NBA Playoffs against the Knicks, the Heat set an NBA single-game playoff record for most points scored by undrafted players (74). Strus, Caleb Martin, Gabe Vincent, Duncan Robinson, and Haywood Highsmith each contributed offensively in Miami’s 111-105 loss.
More NBA rumors are on the main page.
