The Cleveland Cavaliers just signed big Larry Nance Jr. to a contract extension, which is an encouraging sign for the near future.
The Cleveland Cavaliers and big Larry Nance Jr. are a near-perfect pairing. It was initially reported by Chris Haynes of Yahoo! Sports that Cleveland and their hometown guy agreed to a four-year contract extension worth $45 million (it’s formally 44.8 million, per Cleveland.com’s Chris Fedor).
According to Ben Axelrod of WKYC, Nance “had until midnight on Monday to agree to terms with with the team or become a restricted free agent next summer,” and that’s due to him going into the fourth year of his rookie contract as a member of the 2015 NBA Draft.
The Cavaliers got the deal done before that midnight deadline, and this was a good move for the team going forward, and it’s no surprise they finally nailed it down.
“The Cavs and Nance have been holding extension talks for most of the offseason,” noted Sam Amico of Amico Hoops.
Going into his fourth season, Nance has career averages of 7.1 points, 5.9 rebounds and 1.2 steals in 21.5 minutes per game. On a per 36 minutes basis, he has averages of 12.0 points, 9.9 rebounds and 2.0 steals per game, per Basketball Reference.
As one of last year’s trade deadline additions, he should grow more comfortable playing alongside Kevin Love, Cedi Osman, Rodney Hood, rookie Collin Sexton and others in the next few years.
Nance has much more potential than being just an energy big, such as Tristan Thompson (who’s had a solid career but has not developed much offensively).
Nance has been working on his perimeter shooting more going into this season, and like Thompson, is an unselfish player that rebounds well and sets quality screens both on and off the ball.
As a player who has above average feel on both ends of the floor, Nance should only benefit from being around Love. Nance has shown some aptitude as a passer at the beginning of his career, and if he can develop some inside-out game on the offensive end to go with his team defensive abilities, he’ll be a solid lunch-pail contributor and high-flying rim runner in the near future.
The Cavaliers know what they’ll be getting in Nance with his outstanding effort and love for Cleveland.
His dad, Larry Nance, was one of the best Cleveland Cavaliers ever, and although Nance Jr. likely won’t be that type of player, he’ll be a steady player, and could eventually be an every night starter in he can develop more in the low post and as a viable rim protector.
Overall, this team-friendly deal should pay off in the long run, and now the Cavs don’t have to worry about Nance becoming a free agent next summer.