NBA rumors: Half-dozen teams interested in Larry Nance Jr. trade

The Cleveland Cavaliers are reportedly getting plenty of calls from teams interested in acquiring Larry Nance Jr. before the trade deadline.

The Cleveland Cavaliers remain in a rebuilding mode here in 2021. A nice start was followed by a 10-game losing streak, and now players like Andre Drummond and JaVale McGee stand out as those likely to be traded before the deadline later this month.

Larry Nance Jr. is another player showing up in rumors even though he is under contract through the 2022-23 season. Would the Cavaliers really trade the local fan favorite who serves as a reliable veteran presence?

Cleveland.com’s Chris Fedor has reported there is a long list of teams interested in Nance.

Cavaliers receiving plenty of offers for Larry Nance Jr.

The most notable teams listed by Fedor include the Boston Celtics, Philadelphia 76ers and Miami Heat. Nance is also reportedly drawing interest from the Minnesota Timberwolves, Dallas Mavericks and New Orleans Pelicans.

One thing to note from this report is that Fedor mentions the Cavaliers are telling other teams Nance is not available. However, it is possible they receive an offer that is just too good to pass up. Nance is a nice piece, but he is not a building block for the future at the age of 28.

Nance has missed the last month with a hand fracture and is expected to return when the second half of the season begins. He is averaging 9.3 points and 6.8 rebounds per game when healthy.

His trade value is high because of his contract. The forward is in the second year of a four-year, $44.8 million contract. That is an extremely team-friendly deal and he could instantly be a key piece on a team like the Celtics or 76ers chasing a title in 2021.

Nance is a Cleveland native who openly reps the city every chance he gets. But the NBA is ultimately a business and the Cavaliers aren’t going to hold onto him simply out of loyalty.