Cavs: 3 ways to replace Larry Nance’s role on defense

The Cleveland Cavaliers jumped to the top of the NBA headlines list for the first time this month, trading Larry Nance Jr. for Chicago Bulls Lauri Markkanen in a sign and trade that will have the Finnish marksman under contract for the Cavs for the next four years.

Nance arrives in Portland, leaving a hole in the Cleveland defense. He is a talented and relentless defender, with the strength and rim protection chops to play smallball 5 and the foot speed and instincts to defend wings. He did whatever the Cavs asked him to do, and now the team has to replace that functionality.

Larry Nance Jr. is no longer on the Cavs, which means they will need to find someone to replace him on defense

Markkanen, the team’s new power forward, is an excellent shooter but not a plus defender. He also lacks the versatility to capably defend combo forwards, limiting him primarily to bigs. Isaac Okoro is the team’s presumed wing stopped, but at 6’5″ with a short wingspan he is not built to defend power forwards.

Cleveland isn’t necessarily trying to contend right away, but they do need to figure out their rotations and how they will accomplish certain goals. Their offensive plan is coming together, but on defense Nance played a crucial role that will have to be replaced. How do they fill in the Larry Nance-sized hole in their defense?