The Cleveland Cavaliers are exploring trades involving Dennis Schroder and Max Strus as the franchise looks to create salary flexibility for a potential blockbuster offseason move.
NBA insider Evan Sidery reported on Tuesday that the Cavaliers “are continuing to shop Dennis Schroder and Max Strus in trade talks to create immediate salary flexibility.” Sidery added that Cleveland’s “ideal scenario would be turning these roster spots into LeBron James and Jonathan Kuminga.”
The reported strategy comes as Cleveland has emerged as a leading destination for James, who is expected to decide his future after leaving the Los Angeles Lakers. ESPN’s Brian Windhorst recently said the “vibes” around the league are pointing toward a third stint with the Cavaliers.
“Yes, absolutely, he knows what he’s going to do,” Windhorst said. “If you ask me, ‘Are the vibes pointing towards Cleveland?’ Yeah, the vibes are pointing towards Cleveland.”
The Cavaliers already have a competitive foundation after finishing the 2025-26 regular season with a 52-30 record, good for fourth place in the Eastern Conference. Cleveland advanced to the conference finals before being swept by the eventual champion New York Knicks.
Creating flexibility, however, remains a challenge because of the team’s salary commitments. Cleveland is attempting to reshape its roster around Donovan Mitchell, Evan Mobley and a veteran core while navigating second-apron restrictions.
Schroder and Strus represent two of the more movable contracts on the roster. Schroder averaged 8.2 points, 4.3 assists and 2.3 rebounds in 30 regular-season games after joining Cleveland, while Strus averaged 11.2 points, 5.4 rebounds and 2.0 assists in 12 games.
During the playoffs, Strus played a larger role, averaging 9.6 points, 4.8 rebounds and 2.1 assists in 18 games while shooting 35.8% from three-point range. Schroder averaged 5.5 points and 2.4 assists in 17 postseason appearances.
Cleveland’s interest in adding James would reunite the franchise with the four-time champion who delivered the organization’s first NBA title in 2016. James averaged 20.9 points, 7.2 assists and 6.1 rebounds for the Lakers during the 2025-26 season while continuing to provide elite playmaking at age 41.
The Cavaliers are also reportedly interested in adding Kuminga, another move that would require financial maneuvering. Kuminga averaged 12.3 points, 5.3 rebounds and 2.1 assists in 16 games with Atlanta after being traded from Golden State, shooting 47.6% from the field and 34.6% from three-point range.
Cleveland’s current roster already features significant offensive firepower. Mitchell averaged 27.9 points, 5.7 assists and 4.5 rebounds during the regular season, while Mobley posted 18.2 points, 9.0 rebounds and 3.6 assists.
The Cavaliers’ playoff run showed both their potential and their need for additional star-level depth. Mitchell averaged 26.0 points during the postseason, but Cleveland struggled against New York in the conference finals, losing all four games by an average margin of 18.0 points.
