Breaking Down Cavaliers’ 2023-24 Season-Opening Small Forwards

Offseason acquisition Max Strus leads Cleveland's group of three small forwards to begin the 2023-24 regular season.

This past Saturday, the Cleveland Cavaliers made their preseason roster cuts heading into the 2023-24 regular season.

In our last Cavaliers roster breakdown, we examined the team’s shooting guards to open the regular season.

With Cleveland playing its first regular season game tomorrow, here is a breakdown of the small forwards on the team's season-opening roster.

Max Strus

In early July, the Cavaliers made their biggest free agency splash by acquiring Max Strus from the Miami Heat in a three-team sign-and-trade.

Last season, the 27-year-old averaged career-highs in points (11.5), rebounds (3.2), assists (2.1), steals (0.5), and blocks (0.2, tied) per game. Strus also totaled career-bests in three-pointers made (197) and free throw percentage (87.6%).

Oct 20, 2023; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indiana Pacers guard Buddy Hield (7) dribbles the ball while Cleveland Cavaliers guard Max Strus (1) defends in the second half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse / © Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports

He also brings plenty of postseason experience to the team, having played in 43 playoff games with Miami over the last three years.

Isaac Okoro

The fifth overall pick of the 2020 NBA Draft, Isaac Okoro enters the final season of his rookie contract.

Last season, the 22-year-old played a career-high 76 games (46 starts), fluctuating between being the Cavaliers’ fifth starter and sixth man.

Known for his perimeter defense, Okoro improved his shooting a season ago, recording career-bests in both field goal (49.4%) and three-point (36.3%) percentage.

Emoni Bates (Two-Way Contract)

Cleveland used their only 2023 NBA Draft pick (49th overall) to select 19-year-old Emoni Bates.

A highly touted high school recruit, the 6-foot-9 forward led Eastern Michigan in both points (19.2) and rebounds (5.8) per game last season.

Bates averaged 17.2 points and 6.0 rebounds per game for the Cavaliers’ 2023 Summer League Championship team. He also had a strong preseason, averaging 10.5 points per game and shooting 10-for-23 (43.5%) from three off the bench.

In our next Cavaliers roster breakdown, we’ll examine Cleveland’s power forwards.