NBA Power Rankings: Tiering all 30 projected starting small forwards for 2023-24

Tier 7: The solid veterans

In this tier of starting small forwards, we’ll begin to explore some of the solid veterans that you kind of know what you’re getting from. They’re productive by falling short of what is needed to fall in a star tier – whether that be due to having already fallen out of their prime or because they have limited ceilings.

27. Max Strus, Cleveland Cavaliers

After signing a healthy-sized contract with the Cleveland Cavaliers, Max Strus will be entering the season with plenty of pressure on his shoulders. But with the last two seasons that he had with the Miami Heat, there’s reason to believe that he can be the player that the Cavs need him to be as they attempt to take another step forward in the Eastern Conference.

Here’s the thing with Strus; he has a limited ceiling. Even if Strus plays up to his ability, he’s going to go be this third or fourth star for the Cavs. And the good news is, they probably don’t need him to be to be successful. If Strus can be a good 3-point shooter, this is a signing that will end up being a home run of a move.