Heading into the All-Star break, the New Orleans Pelicans are in need of changes either internally or externally as they sit outside of the playoffs looking in for a second year running. One of the areas of change could be through trade and one of the players the Pelicans are looked to is an interesting one.
According to Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com, the Pelicans are one of many teams that are interested in Cavaliers forward Larry Nance Jr.
“According to sources, Nance is the player the Cavs have received the most calls about. Sources say the Minnesota Timberwolves have been aggressively pursuing him since the offseason. Nance’s old teammate and buddy D’Angelo Russell is a strong Nance advocate. Boston, Philadelphia, New Orleans, Miami and Dallas have also shown interest.”
Nance has spent the last three seasons in Cleveland after being dealt there in 2018. Of course, he spent his first 2.5 seasons with the Lakers and alongside Josh Hart, Lonzo Ball and Brandon Ingram, three key pieces now for the Pelicans.
This season with the Cavs, Nance has averaged 9.3 points, 6.8 rebounds and 3.2 assists in 33.4 minutes per game while playing in 19 games. His 3-point shooting has improved to a career-best 38.1% this season on a career-high 3.3 attempts per game.
In New Orleans, Nance could offer another forward option to open up the court for the Pelicans alongside Zion Williamson. Currently, the Pelicans have just Nicolo Melli, who is shooting 21.2% from 3-point range, as a stretch forward option.
A trade would likely require a healthy return to the Cavaliers as Nance through this season and each of the next two. However, no team outside of the Thunder has a deeper war chest of draft picks to trade. The Cavaliers would have little interest in any of the Pelicans young guards and it’s unlikely New Orleans would give up on Jaxson Hayes in just his second year even if the Cavaliers were interested.
Because of the lack of contracts in the neighborhood of the $11.7 million Nance is due this season, the trade would likely need to be a three-team deal with one of Bledsoe or Redick being shipped to a third team and the Cavaliers receiving a package from that side.
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