Donovan Mitchell and the Cleveland Cavaliers are no strangers to hope that turns into heartbreak. In 2024, they were bounced in the second round by the Celtics. 2025 was another failure; they ran into a Pacers team en route to the Finals and fell again in the second round. The question grows louder each time: is this core ready for the NBA’s biggest stage, or are they destined to linger in the “dangerous, but beatable” tier? Can their roster truly hold up in the postseason?

Max Strus doesn’t shy away from that conversation. He welcomes it. He believes the bruises from those defeats aren’t just reminders, but ammunition. The promise? That this year, Mitchell and the Cavs won’t be remembered for ‘ almost. ‘

“ We know we have the team capable to do it ,” Strus said . “ We want to wi

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