Larry Nance Jr. was a strong find for the Los Angeles Lakers in the closing stages of the first round during the 2015 NBA Draft. The veteran big man was supposed to be a great get for the Cleveland Cavaliers this offseason too. That has not been the case thus far in the early parts of 2025-26.
Nance took the veteran minimum this offseason to join the Cavaliers. It was a spot from his 11-year career that previously featured some of his best years as a pro. There was undoubtedly hope from both parties that magic could be rekindled.
The fit made a ton of sense too. The Cavaliers needed a versatile big man behind Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen who could play either the four or the five spot. Nance fit that description with ease.
The type of productivity that has been needed from the Cavs veteran has just not been there. Nance still does a lot of the little things really well at this stage of his career. However, his drop-off in the scoring department has been tough to ignore in 2025-26.
Larry Nance Jr. is rapidly approach the end of a career started in Los Angeles
The Cavaliers, as a whole, are still trying to figure it out offensively. After leading the NBA in offensive rating during the 2024-25 season, injuries to key contributors like Darius Garland have kept the Cavaliers attack from truly clicking during this campaign.
Nance has been one of the more disappointing parts of that. After a short, but productive, season with the Altanta Hawks last year, the former Laker has fallen off a cliff with his efficiency.
In 2025-26, Nance is averaging 3.6 points per game. That is coming with shooting splits of 35-30-33, adding up to an abysmal true shooting percentage of 43.0.
That is a massive drop-off from someone who averaged 51.6 percent from the field and 44.7 percent from beyond the arc in 2024-25. It has quickly shrunk his role with the Cavaliers this season.
Before Nance suffered a calf strain that is expected to hold him out for several weeks, his time on the court was already disappearing. The Cavaliers were ditching him in favor of the younger Nae'Qwan Tomlin.
For those that do not know, Tomlin is still on a two-way contract with Cleveland. Even so, the young big man was proving far more reliable as an option off the bench.
Nance will join a long list of former Lakers who just do not look like they have it anymore this season. Players who were once solid role players, key contributors for championship teams, or stars are quickly freefalling towards the end of their careers.