Cavs Season Preview: What does Larry Nance Jr. bring to the front court?

The last name of Nance carries a lot of weight within the Cleveland Cavaliers. Larry Nance Sr.’s number resides in the rafters of Rocket Arena. Pete Nance has had an on-again, off-again relationship with Cleveland’s G League organization, the Charge. And, of course, there’s Larry Nance Jr., who is now beginning his second stint with the team after signing as a free agent this past offseason.

The salary space-strapped Cavs had to be picky with who they signed this summer, but Nance will likely outplay the dollar amount he is being paid this year. Nance will see a primary role as a backup power forward and center, giving a breather to both Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen when necessary. He brings a mix of several skills, though of average quality and consistency. Nevertheless, in small quantities, Nance should be a productive player.

In 19 minutes per game last season with the Atlanta Hawks, Nance averaged 8.5 points (his most since 2019-20), 4.3 rebounds, and 1.6 assists per game. Those are, of course, modest stats, but it’s the other things that Nance provides that the Cavs will benefit from.

Nance attempted three shots from deep per game last season, drilling 44.7% of them. That small blip of stretchiness is useful in spacing, in that teams will have to care when he goes to hoist one from beyond the arc. That is useful when it comes to building lineups with Mobley or Allen next to him.

Then there is the “little things” factor, which cannot be discounted either. Nance pokes himself into passing lanes to break things up a bit, something you don’t normally have from a big of his size and quickness. He can bang around in the paint on both ends of the floor and doesn’t wilt against bigger guys. Where De’Andre Hunter is more slight and not as capable of going up for boards against bigger wings, Nance is harder to knock off his axis. Does passing count as a “little thing?” It should when its unexpected. Nance won’t be leading the bench in assists or anything, but he doesn’t turn the ball over and tends to make the right read.

Nance has been a well-liked teammate and, of course, has a rooting interest in the Cleveland area. The Cavs are still a younger team, and Nance will have an impact in the locker room as well as on the floor. It is impossible to measure that quantitatively, but it is at least part of the reason the Cavs showed interest in him.

The multifaceted toolbox that Nance has is modest, but helpful. He does not wow at anything in particular, but he gives the Cavs a little wrinkle in the same way Lonzo Ball does as a backup point guard. He can do numerous things decently, but nothing truly spectacular.

And, similar to Ball, Nance has dealt with injuries seemingly every season. It is almost a forgone conclusion that he will miss a handful of games for any number of reasons. Soft tissue stuff, sprains, you name it, and there is a good chance that it will happen to Nance throughout the season. That certainly limits his ceiling as a contributor if he cannot stay on the floor, and it’s a risk that the Cavs are willing to live with.

Nance will be able to help the Cavs in a number of ways, but expectations should be tempered. His impact is often not seen in highlights or on the scoresheet, but it is still there.

Think of Nance as a medium floor, low-ceiling type of player that will be useful, impactful, but never game-breaking in any way. He is a good connector, and that is something the Cavs need - especially missing Max Strus for at least half of the season. The biggest question will be health, and that has been an ongoing issue for Nance throughout his career. The Cavs had limited options as one of the most expensive teams in the league, but it’s a worthy gamble.

0 Comments