3 reasons Cavs shouldn’t seriously consider trading Larry Nance Jr.
By Dan Gilinsky
![Cleveland Cavaliers big man Larry Nance Jr. handles the ball. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) Cleveland Cavaliers big man Larry Nance Jr. handles the ball. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/79ca647b713b5650b375329714388aeead8a745dbd9c1a55483be731c79f8f5d.jpg)
#2: He’s an impact player for the Cavs on a declining deal looking onward
Nance is set to make again, $11.7 million next season, and is set to be declining from there.
In 2021-22, Nance is due to make roughly $10.7 million, and from there, $9.7 million. We’ll have to see as far as seemingly finalized salaries for players for next season at least, given the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on the NBA.
ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported this info as far as proposals for next season, which seems destined to begin on Dec. 22/involve a 72-game regular season, per a detailed report from him/Lowe. But here was what a proposed 18.0 percent escrow for players would result in, via ESPN’s Bobby Marks.
18% escrow in 20-21 would withhold roughly $720M from the players. That does not include reduced pay based on less games played. A player like Steph Curry could see his $43M salary reduced to $31M (factoring escrow and less games played). https://t.co/I8UddRqeCx
— Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) November 4, 2020
In any case, Nance’s deal will be pretty team-friendly looking onward, quite frankly, given his all-around impact for the Cavaliers. So while I understand how Nance could be an attractive trade target, especially with his deal and being a proven veteran, for other teams, conversely for the Cavs, why deal him then?
Taken the aforementioned Hollinger trade suggestion, I get that Kanter, should he opt in, and Poirier wouldn’t be expensive, but would a #14 pick affect games close to the same as Nance? No, and to reiterate, Nance’s deal is declining from here, in what is set to be through the next three seasons.
With him being a quality all-around contributor for the Cavs on an upward trajectory and being on a reasonable deal, all things considered, that’s another key reason why Cleveland shouldn’t seriously consider trading Nance.
We’ll move on to the third reason that’s the case lastly.