Cavs reportedly sign Larry Nance Jr. in free agency

Nance comes home for his second stint in Cleveland

The Cleveland Cavaliers got a much-needed win in free agency on Tuesday. NBA insider Marc Stein reports that Larry Nance Jr. will be returning to play for his hometown team. Nance will presumably be on a minimum contract due to second-apron restrictions.

This singing is a massive win for Koby Altman and the rest of the front office. This team needed additional front-court depth that could keep De’Andre Hunter away from playing the four and into his natural position at small forward. They also needed someone who could realistically play the four and the five while providing connective playmaking, shooting, and rebounding.

That’s a lot to ask for in a player when you can only offer the minimum contract.

Fortunately for the Cavs, they found someone who could fit all of those needs in Nance.

Nance had a productive season last year with the Atlanta Hawks before it was derailed by hand and knee injuries. He averaged 8.5 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 1.6 assists. He compiled .516/.447/.692 shooting splits in 24 outings last season.

The three-point shot is something that Nance has shown he has the skills to do at times, but it hasn’t carried over to the court as much as you’d like. That seemed to change last season. Nance took a career-high 7.7 threes per 100 possessions. That’s important for someone with Nance’s injury history who doesn’t have the same athletic burst that he had in his first run in Cleveland.

We’ll see how this move shakes out the rest of the roster. Dean Wade is someone who was rumored to be moved in a salary dump earlier this summer. Nance’s signing makes Wade slightly more expendable, even though it wouldn’t be a bad idea to keep both due to Wade and Nance’s injury histories.

Cleveland now has two open roster spots remaining. If previous seasons are any indication of things, they will likely break camp with just one of those open positions filled.

Nance’s signing presumably means that Tristan Thompson will not be back next season. Thompson is currently an unrestricted free agent.