Max Strus has only been back for two games, but it’s clear that Cavaliers coach Kenny Atkinson has big plans for him heading into the playoffs, Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com writes in a subscriber-only piece. Strus was part of the closing lineup in Tuesday’s win over Milwaukee, and Atkinson intends to keep him in a featured role moving forward.
“I have such a comfort level with him,” Atkinson said. “I could see it going any way with him. Maybe starting lineup. Maybe sixth man. We will see how that plays out. But it’s hard not to finish with the guy because he is such a clutch player. We’ll see where it ends up. He has a way of imposing his will and makes you put him in the lineup.”
Strus, who had been sidelined since undergoing foot surgery in late August, contributed six points, six rebounds and four assists Tuesday in 23 minutes off the bench and hit a late three-pointer that helped Cleveland put the game away. Fedor states that Atkinson plans to steadily increase Strus’ minutes over the 13 remaining games in hopes of having him consistently in the high 20s by the start of the postseason.
Strus’ return will lead to difficult decisions for Atkinson as he sets his nine-man rotation for the playoffs. The Cavs acquired Keon Ellis and Dennis Schröder from Sacramento at the trade deadline to upgrade their perimeter defense, and Fedor states that Sam Merrill seems to be another one of Atkinson’s favorite players because of his reliability from three-point range. Fedor speculates that second-year swingman Jaylon Tyson, whom general manager Koby Altman called a franchise cornerstone earlier in the season, may be left out.
“I’m still evaluating who fits and who is going to kind of take the lead in terms of getting in that rotation,” Atkinson said. “We haven’t made a clear decision on who those nine are. Still think we have to evaluate, especially our wings. Have a lot of wings right now.”
There’s more from the Central Division:
- Pascal Siakam is making progress in his recovery from a right knee sprain, but it’s still uncertain when he’ll return to action, according to Dustin Dopirak of The Indianapolis Star (Twitter link). The Pacers forward missed his sixth consecutive game on Wednesday, but coach Rick Carlisle told reporters he expects Siakam back before the end of the season.
- Tony East of Circle City Spin examines the circumstances surrounding the Pacers‘ long losing streak, which reached 15 games on Wednesday. It’s the most consecutive losses in franchise history, and Indiana is on pace for its worst record since entering the NBA.
- Coach Billy Donovan plans to have Jaden Ivey accompany the team on its upcoming road trip in hopes that he can return to action, relays Bulls reporter Will Gottlieb (Twitter link). Ivey hasn’t played since February 11, but Donovan said the pain in his left knee is gone.