Forward Larry Nance Jr is one of the more compelling trade candidates on the Cleveland Cavaliers, who are 14-22 this season.
While he has missed the last four weeks due to a finger injury, Nance should return to the floor in the coming weeks and therefore could be a rotation player for an NBA contender. The 28-year-old has been his typical self across the 19 games he has appeared in this season: a bouncy, two-way forward. Nance is averaging 9.3 points, 6.8 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 1.9 steals per game while shooting a career-best 38.1 percent from beyond the arc.
According to Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com, the Boston Celtics, Dallas Mavericks, Minnesota Timberwolves, Miami Heat, New Orleans Pelicans and Philadelphia 76ers are interested in acquiring Nance. How do these teams stack up in terms of fit for the forward?
6) Minnesota Timberwolves
The T-Wolves are a mess. From injuries to inconsistencies to a coaching change and anything else in-between, they've struggled mightily this season. To boot, they have the worst record in the NBA. Why would they be buyers before the March 25 NBA trade deadline?
While Nance's athleticism, best exhibited by his ability to fly above the rim and finish inside, would gel well next to big man Karl-Anthony Towns, trading for a mere frontcourt upgrade doesn't make sense for the T-Wolves.
At this juncture, all they can do is play out the season and maybe look to balance out their roster in the offseason via trade. Larry Nance Jr would be a midseason enhancer, but even that can't save the 15th-seeded Timberwolves.
5) New Orleans Pelicans
The Pelicans are in the playoff hunt in the Western Conference, and Nance could be a piece that helps them at least get in the play-in round, serving as an offensive spark plug off the bench. He'd be an ideal backup to Zion Williamson, as they're each exuberant inside players. On the other hand, what would the Pelicans have to give up for Nance?
The Cavs will inevitably want something of the value for the forward, most likely a young player or two. Why would the Pelicans part with players like Nickeil Alexander-Walker or second-year center Jaxson Hayes when Larry Nance Jr is marginally more impactful and intriguing?
Searching for upgrades while shopping veteran guard JJ Redick has merit, but it doesn't mean making a trade for the sake of a roster shakeup; generally speaking, the Pelicans are best suited playing out the season with who's in the building.
4) Boston Celtics
The Celtics finished the first half of the regular season on a high note, winning their last four games. Nonetheless, they should be looking for midseason upgrades, and Nance could do the trick.
He'd add athleticism to head coach Brad Stevens' rotation and another player who can stretch the floor. If and when they go small in crunch time, Nance, who stands at 6-foot-7, could be the center. With that said, the Celtics already have a reasonable amount of inside depth with the likes of Tristan Thompson, Daniel Theis, Robert Williams III and Grant Williams present. They're accompanied by Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum out on the perimeter.
Boston should be making a perimeter move before adding another big man to the rotation. As is, there's little reason to part with one of the aforementioned big men to add Nance, albeit he would bring some offensive variety to the table.
3) Miami Heat
Miami has been gradually coming along this season, but that shouldn't stop them from making a move before the trade deadline.
Yes, this is an already deep team across the board. Concurrently, it's a team that has endured a bevy of injuries this season and could use another frontcourt player. Larry Nance Jr could be the first big man off head coach Erik Spoelstra's bench, adding an inside scorer and more flair to the second unit. He'd back up and maybe in time split minutes with Kelly Olynyk.
The case against Miami trading for Nance is that they could use their guard depth and future draft picks to acquire a prominent wing scorer. The Heat also may not want to limit rookie Precious Achiuwa's minutes, who has a tantalizing offensive skill set and frame.
2) Dallas Mavericks
The Mavericks, who have been hovering around .500 this season, are just 18th in the NBA in points per game (111.8). For perspective, they finished last season third in the NBA in points per game (117.0). They could use more offense, particularly someone who can finish in the paint.
Dallas tends to severely rely on its shooting ability, especially in crunch time. Having someone like Nance, who can play inside and out and hits the boards at a plausible level, would come in handy. Head coach Rick Carlisle could go one of two ways with Nance: start him next to Kristaps Porzingis or have him be a leading catalyst for the second unit.
Larry Nance Jr should seamlessly fit into their offense. The knock against Dallas pulling the trigger? They may not want to inherit the $20 million remaining on Nance's contract in the two seasons that follow the present given their current and/or future financial commitments to Porzingis and Luka Doncic.
1) Philadelphia 76ers
The 76ers are rolling this season, and they should be on the prowl for players who fit alongside their core. Larry Nance Jr would be a savvy trade deadline addition for head coach Doc Rivers' rotation.
Nance would further weaponize an already deep Philly team, providing them with an athletic forward to come in the game for Tobias Harris. He'd be part of a highly productive second unit that includes Shake Milton, Tyrese Maxey and Dwight Howard. Their bench unit could be a starting unit for a rebuilding team. Nance's offensive tendencies also shouldn't interfere with those of Joel Embiid, Ben Simmons and Tobias Harris given that he's not a ball-dominant player.
The Milwaukee Bucks and Brooklyn Nets are in year one with either a new floor general or star core. The 76ers are the one seed in the Eastern Conference, and the competition can only improve in the coming years: they should pounce on the opportunity at hand and improve their rotation in whatever way possible. In this case, that means acquiring Larry Nance Jr.
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