Cavs final report card: Larry Nance Jr.

Larry Nance Jr. might have been a great fit with this version of the Cleveland Cavaliers in previous years. But last season, nearly all of his value came in the form of locker room leadership. That’s somewhat underwhelming.

All grades are based on our usual expectations for each player.

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Regular Season Stats

The Cavs have sorely needed a player like Nance to reinforce the frontcourt behind Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen. Athletic, 6’9” forwards with plus wingspans haven’t fallen their way very often this decade. Add a touch of playmaking and three-point shooting, and Nance should have fit like a glove.

Sadly, injuries and Father Time have caught up to Nance. He’s not the same athlete he was in previous years, no longer providing a vertical threat around the basket and having trouble moving his feet defensively. Those are two skills he couldn’t afford to lose.

Cleveland couldn’t find any use for Nance. He wasn’t an effective pick-and-roll partner or defender, and he even regressed as a three-point shooter. Nance shot just 33% from deep after consecutive seasons shooting above 40%. At no point in the season did it feel like Nance’s jumper was going to return. That, again, is a skill he couldn’t afford to lose.

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Nance appeared in just 35 games, racking up DNP’s as the on-court results spoke for themselves. Cleveland was 9.5 points worse per 100 possessions when Nance was on the floor. That ranked in the 11th percentile.

Now let’s be fair and offer the positive spin.

Nance hasn’t been fully healthy recently. He only played 24 games in the ‘24-25 season due to hand and knee injuries. He then tweaked his knee again at the start of the ‘25-26 season, only to then strain his calf a few weeks later. You can argue he never got his feet under him in Cleveland — and that a full summer of recovery could offer rejuvenation.

A healthier version of Nance might be on the table. The Cavs could talk themselves into that possibility as a low-risk, moderate-reward gamble. Of course, this most recent season wouldn’t leave anyone feeling great about a winning outcome.

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