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USA Today via Reuters

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USA Today via Reuters

Max Strus grew up watching NBA games from the stands, not expecting to be in them. He wasn’t the five-star recruit; he never had the spotlight. But here he is, burying deep threes and swinging playoff momentum. The guy who once played in near-empty gyms now drains daggers in front of thousands.

What’s wild as he still plays like he’s got something to prove, every single night. There’s no backstory louder than the way he shows up when it matters most. But, we also want to know how much he is getting paid for all this, right? So let’s explore all his contracts and more.

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Max Strus contract breakdown: What’s his salary for the 2024-25 season?

So far, Max Strus is getting paid big bags—and rightfully so. After grinding his way up from undrafted to undeniable, Strus signed a four-year, $62.3 million deal with the Cleveland Cavaliers in July 2023. It was a sign-and-trade from the Miami Heat, who helped shape him into a legit NBA threat. The whole deal is fully guaranteed. No fluff, no options, every dollar is locked in.

For the 2024–25 season, the hooper will earn $15,212,068. That’s his salary, his cap hit, and even the dead cap value if things ever went south. It’s the second year of his deal. The numbers climb from here to $15.9 million in 2025–26, and $16.6 million in 2026–27. By the end, he’ll have pocketed over $62 million. Not bad for a guy who once hustled for two-way contracts and G League reps.

But that money is not the story; he is. When Strus debuted for the Cavs in October 2023, he dropped 27 points, hit seven threes, and grabbed 12 boards. That wasn’t just a strong start. It was the best debut from deep in the team’s history. He came in ready.

Then recently in February 27, 2024, he nailed five threes in 67 seconds against the Dallas Mavericks. Including a game-winner from 59 feet. In fact, it was the second-longest buzzer-beater since 1979. Unreal.

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Max Strus: Undrafted to unstoppable—Is he the most underrated player in the NBA right now?

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But, this season he has had a bad stretch in the league due to a right ankle sprain he sustained during preseason workouts in October 2024. It sidelined for six weeks. Anyhow, as the 2024–25 season continues, he’ll be a key piece for a Cavs team with real playoff hopes. They need his spacing. His energy.

Looking ahead, Strus still has two more seasons under contract. He’ll hit free agency in 2027, at 31. But if his rise has taught us anything, it’s this—don’t bet against him. He’s already shattered expectations. Now, he’s just adding chapters. However, if you’re wondering what else fuels him up as a hooper, is his brand deals.

What are Max Strus’ endorsements? Does he have a shoe deal?

Max Strus isn’t overloaded with flashy endorsements, but he’s making quiet moves. His most notable deal was a footwear partnership with Anta, the Chinese brand that’s been making a slow, smart push into the NBA. You’ve probably seen Klay Thompson rock Antas. Now, Strus is part of that lineup, wearing the Project Z-Up line on court.

It’s not a full-blown signature shoe, but it’s a real endorsement. That matters, especially for someone like Strus, who went undrafted and fought his way onto NBA rosters. Most guys in his shoes (no pun intended) don’t get this far, let alone land a sneaker deal. But Anta seems to value what he brings: effort, consistency, and the ability to show up in big moments.

Strus isn’t doing commercials. He’s not headlining marketing campaigns. And maybe that’s the best part—this deal actually matches his vibe. He’s about the work, not the flash. Just like the Anta brand: solid, reliable, a bit under-the-radar, but very real.

In a world where endorsements often go to the loudest players, it’s refreshing to see someone like Strus rewarded for pure grind. However, now the question is: Will he get more deals? Probably. But he’s not chasing them. He’s earning them. One shot at a time. So with that, let’s go back to his deals and let’s know about the main thing: his net worth.

What are Max Strus’ career earnings? What’s his net worth?

Max Strus didn’t step into the NBA with millions. His journey’s been all hustle. After going undrafted in 2019, he signed a two-way deal with the Boston Celtics, no real guarantees, no spotlight. He was later waived, then picked up by his hometown Bulls. That contract? Also, a two-way. His first official NBA paycheck wasn’t even close to the league average.

In 2020, he signed a training camp invite with the Miami Heat. Still, no promises. But the Heat liked his grit and converted him to a two-way deal again. A year later, Strus finally secured a full NBA contract, two years, $3.5 million total. That was the real start.

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In 2019, with the Celtics and the Chicago Bulls, he earned just a few hundred thousand. In the Heat, his contract bumped him closer to a $1.7 million average per year, but only about $1.6 million was guaranteed. Still, for someone who tore his ACL in 2019, that was huge.

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By the end of that two-year deal in 2023, Strus had earned roughly $6–7 million in total career earnings, including his smaller, short-term contracts before the Heat took a chance on him.

Now talking about his net worth, as of 2025, his estimated net worth is not known. But as of 2023, it sits around $5 million, though that figure varies depending on investments, taxes, and spending. He’s not flashing it—no showy Instagram flexes or loud brand deals. He’s the guy who grinded, showed up, and cashed in because he earned it.

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"Max Strus: Undrafted to unstoppable—Is he the most underrated player in the NBA right now?"

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