Larry Nance Jr., Cleveland Cavaliers
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Larry Nance Jr., Cleveland Cavaliers
Larry Nance Jr. is back with the Cleveland Cavaliers. The hometown forward signed a one-year contract, which is reportedly worth $3.6 million.
On Tuesday, July 8, Nance held an introductory — or re-introductory — news conference. During his time with the media, the veteran forward admitted that even when playing for other teams around the NBA, he remained a Cavaliers fan at heart.
“Over the past few years, when playing for the Hawks, playing for the Pelicans, yeah, I want them to win every game, but I was a Cavs fan,” Nance said. “So, watching the playoffs the past few years, it was hard not to just sit on the couch and kind of look, tap my wife and be like, ‘I can help, I could really do that.’”
Now that he’s back on the roster, Nance believes that he can fit right into the rotation and plug some gaps that appeared last season. Specifically, he sees himself providing size and shooting in the frontcourt.
“Need another big that preferably can spread the floor and move a little bit on the perimeter,” Nance said. “It just kind of fed right into exactly what I know I do and exactly how I know I can help…This is a team that’s really got a chance to win it all. And that’s the goal. That’s why I came back, and that’s what we’re going to do this year.”
Nance previously spent 3.5 seasons with the Cavaliers between 2018 and 2021. During that time, he averaged 9.3 points, 7.4 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game, shooting 34.5% from the deep and 53% from the field.
Lonzo Ball Gives Honest Take on Joining Cavaliers
Another new member of Kenny Atkinson’s rotation is Lonzo Ball. The Cavaliers acquired the veteran playmaker in a trade with the Chicago Bulls. Isaac Okoro is the makeweight in that deal, bringing his tenure in “The Land” to an end.
During his own introductory news conference, Ball shared his thoughts on joining a Cleveland roster that dominated the Eastern Conference last season.
“I feel like it’s just a blessing, bro,” Ball said. “To be honest, I mean, everybody keeps asking me how I feel about the trade. I’m like, s***, I’m happy to still be playing anywhere, let alone a team that has a real chance to win a ring… My whole life, I feel like I’ve been playing the right brand of basketball, and that’s to win games, so I feel like I’m going to a great situation, and I just want to play my role and do what I can to help.”
Ball’s biggest challenge will be in proving that his injury history is behind him. He missed two full years due to a persistent knee issue, and then struggled to stay on the floor after returning last season.
LaVar Ball Shares Thoughts on Cavaliers Trade
During an appearance on ESPN Cleveland, LaVar Ball shared his thoughts regarding his son’s trade to the Cavaliers.
“Lonzo’s always been that piece you need for a championship – they’ve got to make everyone better,” LaVar said.. “So, Cleveland just moved up to being the No. 1 team for the East.”
If Ball can stay healthy, he will be a major asset to Cleveland’s rotation. When on the court, he’s one of the best playmakers in the NBA. Furthermore, his perimeter defense and shot-making will give the second unit a reliable two-way threat.
While Ball’s injury history is a concern, the Cavaliers have made a smart buy-low dice roll, in the hope that Ball can give them the postseason boost they need to contend for a championship next season.