Cavaliers: 3 positive trends for Larry Nance Jr. moving forward

Being able to play meaningful minutes at the 3

Though it’s not feasible in every matchup, Nance has shown the capability of playing meaningful minutes at the 3 in some instances for Bickerstaff, which I initially was not a fan of at all.

I was wrong for not entertaining that in some instances, though, and with Nance’s athleticism, great feel on both ends of the floor, especially off the ball, and his fluidity in getting through off-ball screens to contest opposing perimeter shooters, he could be a viable rotational 3 for Bickerstaff in coming years if two other bigs have it working.

Against the San Antonio Spurs and Denver Nuggets, and in instances last Tuesday at the Chicago Bulls, Nance had success at the 3 on both ends, and his 6-foot-7, 245-pound presence on the offensive glass and as a cutter is difficult in some matchups for less physical 3’s.

While the sample size was only 17 minutes over a two-game span, a five-man lineup of Matthew Dellavedova-Sexton-Nance-Love-Drummond had a net rating of 27.8 post-All-Star, according to NBA.com. Additionally, while again, it was a sample size of 20 minutes, a five-man lineup of Garland-Porter-Nance-Love-Tristan Thompson was huge in a comeback victory over the Miami Heat on February 24, of which KJG’s Corey Casey hit on, and in a 20-minute stretch over two contests post-All-Star, that lineup had a net rating of 58.3.

That being said, Jimmy Butler wasn’t playing in that Miami game, and in some instances and against teams that are getting up and down more and have considerable talent depth at the 3, I’d rather see Nance more in his usual 4 spot, and in some stretches, at the 5 if he’s not having to go up against really physical 5’s much.

At any rate, with how active Nance is as a rotator/helper defensively, and with the way Nance’s handle has improved, along with his perimeter shooting, it’s been really encouraging to see him show the ability to play the small forward position for Cleveland in some instances leading up to the league’s suspension.

Even if Cleveland eventually chooses to trade Love at some point, who could help contenders as an inside-out scorer, secondary playmaker and elite defensive rebounder, and/or if Drummond opts out of his player option or is eventually dealt, Nance could still play the 3 in some instances, I’d imagine. That would be if Cleveland drafts a big in the 2020 NBA Draft and seemingly would add a big or two via potential trade if they chose to move Love.

So, looking at the other positive trend involving Nance, it relates to him being able to use his improved touch inside the arc, too.