Report: Cavs discussing contract extension with Larry Nance Jr.

The Cleveland Cavaliers are discussing a contract extension with Larry Nance Jr.

According to Jordan Schultz of Yahoo Sports, the Cleveland Cavaliers and 6-foot-9 forward-center Larry Nance Jr. are discussing a contract extension.

While the mutual interest— and for that matter, the mutual affinity — in an extension between Nance Jr. and the Cavs has been reported since he was acquired, there have yet to be any details on what kind of contract extension they’re looking to give the Akron-native.

Many know Nance Jr. as the son of three-time All-Star Larry Nance Sr., who starred for the Cavs in the from 1987-1988 to 1993-1994. Others know Nance Jr. as the runner-up to Utah Jazz shooting guard Donovan Mitchell in the 2018 NBA Slam Dunk Contest.

There are also those who know Nance Jr. as an electrifying big man who can make a significant impact in multiple facets of the game.

He’s an intelligent, alert and active defender who’s constantly able to wreak havoc in the passing lanes (his 2.4 pass deflections per game last season would rank 4th among all centers). With his athleticism, he can be a difference-maker as a shot-blocker.

Though not the strongest center on the floor, which tends to show up in his low-post defense against burly big men, he boxes out well and is springy, leading to plenty of rebounding opportunities.

On offense, he’s a big-time threat as a rim-runner due to the threat of him finishing above and through an opponent.

He’s not a refined low-post scorer (1.00 points per possession, 4.1 percent of his possessions) nor is he a refined shooter (0.68 points per possession, 7.5 percent of his possessions). However, he does have the potential to be respectable from both areas if he puts in the work.

While comparing him to Houston Rockets center Clint Capela, who broke out for the Rockets last season with averages of 13.9 points, 10.8 rebounds and 1.9 assists per game, seems far-fetched, the similarities in their size (Capela is 6-foot-10), skillsets and per 36 numbers suggest otherwise.

Nance’s 2017-2018 stats per 36 minutes: 14.5 points, 11.5 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 2.2 steals, 1.0 block per game (true shooting percentage of 60.5)

Capela’s 2017-2018 stats per 36 minutes: 18.2 points, 14.2 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 1.0 steal, 2.4 blocks per game (true shooting percentage of 65.0)

Capela, though just a little better in most facets of the game, is also a rim-running center who makes his impact felt on the boards and the defensive end.

With him signing a four-year, $50 million contract to stay with the Rockets, Nance Jr. could sign a similar contract to stay with the Cavs.

Bringing back Nance Jr., a fan favorite who can help the team for years to come, is the perfect move.

*All stats gathered from www.basketball-reference.com and stats.nba.com