Cavs rumors: Interest isn’t shocking, but trading Larry Nance Jr. wouldn’t be wise

The Cleveland Cavaliers will seemingly have their trade suitors, and due to his expiring contract, Andre Drummond has often been a player mentioned in Cavs rumors regarding potential trades.

The possible trade value/return for Drummond for the Cavs seemingly varies around the league, though, and more on reported information in that realm, you can view that here.

JaVale McGee, of whom the Brooklyn Nets were previously reportedly interested in, and is set to be on the books for a team-friendly $4.2 million this season, is another that will likely be a player that could very well be dealt. That’s been since the acquisition of Jarrett Allen via trade from the Nets, especially, and at least at this point, with Drummond being with the Cavs still and/or could perhaps be up until near the March 25 trade deadline.

Albeit in relation to McGee, him potentially to the Nets doesn’t appear as likely anymore, as Brooklyn reportedly signed Noah Vonleh on Monday, and they added Norvel Pelle via non-guaranteed deal last week.

And while it wouldn’t frankly seem too likely during this season, factoring in injury history and his contract, the Cavs, as is the case with Drummond, will reportedly look to deal Kevin Love when he is healthy. That’s per Sam Amico of OutKick and Forty Eight Minutes.

Again, though, Love has not appeared for Cleveland since Dec. 27 because of a high-grade right calf strain, and even with him reportedly having been progressing, he’s still not expected to be in action for the Cavs during their current road trip. And dealing him during this season doesn’t seem realistic.

He’ll have $60.2 million and two years left on his contract following this season, but there could seemingly have a much higher of him being moved in the coming offseason.

So while still on the potential Cavs trade conversation, it’s been reported that Larry Nance Jr. has interested suitors. And that’s sensible, really.

Nance, who had been banged up because of a right wrist sprain, anyhow, is expected to miss approximately six weeks due to a fourth metacarpal fracture on his left hand, but overall, he’s done a nice job filling in for Love at the starting 4. He’s had 9.3 points, 6.8 rebounds and tied a career-best with 3.2 assists per game, albeit that’s due to a career-high with Love having been sidelined, with him having played 33.4 minutes per game.

Regardless, Nance has been invaluable defensively, really, and has been second in the league in steals per game (1.9) and is second in deflections per game (3.9), the latter of which is per NBA.com’s player hustle data.

What Nance has provided, and with how he’s continually improved in recent seasons with the Cavs, it’s understandable why other squads are reportedly said to have interest in Nance.

And per Kevin O’Connor of The Ringer, Nance “could receive a significant return” for Cleveland via trade; he’s one of two veterans opposing teams are eyeing, with Drummond being the other, if the Cavs were to continue to slide.

Here was what O’Connor said in relation to that potential scenario.

"“Larry Nance Jr. is Cleveland’s best defender, but will be out for the next four to six weeks due to a broken finger. If the Cavs chose to shop Nance, they could receive a significant return for him because of Nance’s ability to fit into a wide number of offensive roles and defend multiple positions.”"

Them potentially dealing Nance wouldn’t be something I’d be on-board with, though.

Cavs rumors involving Nance interest aren’t shocking, but trading him wouldn’t be wise.

Nance, leading into before the wrist sprain, had been shooting the ball well when he was taking spot-up attempts from deep, and on the season, he’s had a robust 13.4 percent assist rate, which for a big, is noteworthy. He’s a player that has an improved handle, too, but as has always been the case throughout his career, he’s still an effective diver/lob threat as well.

Defensively, he’s clearly been a key impact player for Cleveland this season, and has been ever since he was acquired via trade from the Los Angeles Lakers near the 2018 deadline. Plus, as the aforementioned O’Connor hit on, Nance has the capability to defend multiple positions, and he’s such an effective communicator defensively, which shouldn’t be discounted.

To go with the on-floor element, when Nance is eventually healthy, of course, his contract has to be attractive to potential trade suitors/contenders, too. Nance is set to be on the books for $11.7 million this season, and is on a declining contract for the duration of his deal, of which he’s signed for the next two seasons following this one and will make $10.7 million and $9.7 million in those campaigns.

Needless to say, it’s not shocking that Nance is a player that has reportedly drawn interest, per O’Connor. His versatility and much improved spot-up capability in recent seasons (again when he’s healthy), and his defense seemingly played into why ESPN’s Zach Lowe (subscription required) reportedly before stated how contenders “will call” about Nance a few weeks back.

But on par with what Lowe kind of stated, in which he expressed that he kind of does not want Cleveland to trade Nance, simply put, the Cavs shouldn’t deal Jr.

Now, O’Connor did report how the Cavs could get a “significant return” for Nance, but with how he’s continually improved, and still I’d imagine has several good years left, I firmly believe Cleveland shouldn’t deal him. He’s again, continued to get better on-ball/as a shooter, and is one of Cleveland’s best passers, cutters and is the Cavs’ best defender, and seems to be a budding leader.

Does O’Connor’s report indicate the Cavs, along with near-salary matching, could possibly get back a first-round pick for Jr.? That I’m not sure on, but perhaps that could play out or Cleveland could get back two future second-rounders?

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But even so, with all the ways Nance affects games, I wouldn’t them to deal him, as he’s a guy that can still be a key factor for them in coming seasons following this one, too.

And if the Cavs were to eventually move Love in the near future, Nance could feasibly step in and be their starting 4 regularly and/or help bring along a young 4 prospect, if the Cavs were to draft one.

Moreover, considering the Cavaliers went out and acquired Allen and they’ll almost certainly lock him up long-term/match a restricted offer sheet this offseason, Cleveland would be far better dealing the expiring Drummond.

That’s as opposed to Nance, for example, albeit they could look to deal both. And regarding Drummond, the Toronto Raptors are reportedly interested in him, per O’Connor.

In that realm, if the Cavs, feasibly via three-team deal somehow, were to acquire Norman Powell and/or Chris Boucher from Toronto, that’d be solid for Cleveland, although I don’t know what a hypothetical deal might be currently and/or a set third team.

Anyway, to drive it home here, while rumored/reported interest in Nance isn’t surprising, with what Nance means to these Cavs, they shouldn’t deal him.

Evan Dammarell of Forbes and Fear The Sword, who reported how Nance will have his admirers/likely be asked about, if/when Cleveland starts to slide more, also highlighted why Cleveland shouldn’t deal Nance, nor ever strongly consider moving him. And I’m with him there, too.

Dammarell also alluded to how Nance, who as Cleveland as it gets, as we know, has helped out Cleveland area businesses as well during the COVID-19 pandemic, and that plays more into how beloved he is from a locker room/off-floor/fan base standpoint.

"“It’s more than what Nance does on the court that should prevent the Cavaliers from trading him. It’s what he does off the court that matters just as much if not. Prior to every game this season, Nance has worn apparel that support local Cleveland businesses that are struggling during the pandemic. Nance then auctions his game worn jersey and he and the Cavaliers match the winning auction and all the proceeds go towards the business he supported that night.”"

Again, while the Cavs could seemingly very well eventually Drummond, although he could maybe be still kept through the deadline, as his $28.8 million salary for 2020-21 isn’t the simplest to move, Nance shouldn’t be dealt by Cleveland.

It’s not clear what a potential “significant” return could end up being for Nance, but considering his all-around impact, the leadership/off-floor element and what he means internally, as Dammarell emphasized, I just firmly believe Cleveland should never trade Nance.

Even while I’m all for accumulation of valuable near future draft capital, I’d think in this case, I’d much rather the Cavs be able to potentially acquire another key pick via deal/a few future 2’s and still have Nance for coming years.