The Cleveland Cavaliers are off to an impressive start this season, which might make trade moves seem unnecessary. However, the team could still benefit from bolstering their frontcourt depth to ensure they remain competitive as the season progresses, particularly with a playoff push in mind. Recognizing this, Bleacher Report’s Dan Favale has suggested that Cleveland pursue a trade to bring back Larry Nance Jr., currently with the Atlanta Hawks, as a reliable option to strengthen their rotation.
Favale’s proposal includes Cleveland trading Georges Niang and a pair of future second-round draft picks to the Hawks in exchange for Nance. This trade would address the Cavaliers’ need for depth beyond their primary big men, Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley. As Favale highlights, Cleveland’s current rotation has a limited pool of backup big men, which could be a challenge in a high-stakes playoff setting. He points out that relying on Niang or veteran Tristan Thompson for extended minutes might be less effective in the playoffs when matchups intensify. Favale sees Nance as an ideal fit, as his skill set allows him to play alongside one of the main bigs, or even both Allen and Mobley, potentially even functioning as a flexible forward in certain three-big lineups. Such versatility could be an asset in a playoff atmosphere, giving the Cavaliers additional lineup options.
Nance is already a familiar figure to Cleveland fans. He played with the Cavaliers for three-and-a-half seasons from 2017-18 through 2020-21, and was a member of the squad that made it to the NBA Finals in 2018. Nance’s best season with the Cavaliers came in 2019-20, when he averaged 10.1 points and 7.3 rebounds per game, demonstrating his effectiveness as a solid contributor. His shooting percentages of 53.1% from the field and 35.2% from beyond the arc made him an effective offensive presence who could also space the floor.
Since leaving Cleveland, Nance has played for the Portland Trail Blazers, the New Orleans Pelicans, and recently joined the Atlanta Hawks in the offseason. So far, in the 2024-25 campaign, Nance has averaged 10.1 points per game with the Hawks, continuing to showcase his value as a consistent scorer and defender. At 31, Nance brings veteran experience and a versatile defensive skill set that could complement the Cavaliers’ existing roster. His defensive adaptability would be especially valuable, as he can guard multiple positions and contribute both inside and on the perimeter.
Financially, Nance’s acquisition would come at a relatively low cost, with the proposed trade requiring only a modest exchange of assets. Given Cleveland’s already strong start and promising core, adding Nance could be a strategic move to round out the roster without disrupting the team’s chemistry or future flexibility. His familiarity with the franchise and experience in high-pressure situations would make him a seamless fit, potentially bolstering the Cavaliers’ chances in the postseason by adding defensive versatility and depth to their lineup.
In summary, while the Cavaliers are already performing well, trading for Nance could address a specific need for frontcourt depth and playoff versatility, potentially elevating their competitive edge as they aim for a deep postseason run.
