Lakers Rumors: Larry Nance Jr. was deemed untouchable in trade talks

Los Angeles Lakers Rumors: The team thinks highly of Larry Nance Jr., as Magic Johnson said the team turned down multiple trade offers for him.

Recent Los Angeles Lakers rumors involve third year forward, Larry Nance Jr. Nance Jr., the No. 27 overall pick in the 2015 NBA Draft, is actually one of the most experienced players on the Lakers roster. With that experience, Nance Jr. is emerging as one of the leaders on the team.

When people discuss the Lakers, Nance Jr. is not one of the young players discussed as part of their core. However, he is a very important piece.

His versatility off the bench is extremely valuable. He can play all three spots in the front court depending on the opposing team’s matchups. Nance Jr. provides a great presence defensively and is a very good rebounder.

Nance Jr. has seen his numbers increase in his second season from his rookie campaign. The Lakers are hoping he takes another jump in his third season, and it is quite possible he does. His minutes should increase once again as the first forward coming off the bench.

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While he may not be discussed by media members or fans much, the Lakers think very highly of him. President of Basketball Operations, Magic Johnson, was recently on ESPN’s First Take and discussed Nance Jr.

Johnson spoke very highly of the former Wyoming product. He called him a secret weapon and put him on the same level as second-year small forward, Brandon Ingram.

"“Our secret weapon is Larry Nance…we’ve gotten calls from a lot of teams wanting to trade for him and Brandon Ingram and we’ve said no. Larry is such a fundamentally sound basketball player.”"

That is an excellent description of Nance Jr. by Johnson. Nance Jr. is unlikely to develop into a star player, but what he brings to a team is important. There is a lot that he brings to the court to help a team win and is integral to the Lakers success this season and going forward.

His freakish athleticism has landed him on multiple highlight reels, such as the dunk he had last season over Brook Lopez, now his teammate. His work ethic and positive attitude make him a great player to have in a locker room with so many young players.

Next: What Can We Expect From Larry Nance Jr. This Season?

Nance Jr. is young himself but carries himself like a veteran. He sets a great example for his teammates and is someone rookie Kyle Kuzma should spend a lot of time around. Expect to see Nance Jr. coming off the bench once again for the Lakers, filling a number of different roles.

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