Pacers GM Chad Buchanan says Larry Nance Jr. will primarily provide center depth behind Ivica Zubac while also bringing veteran leadership to Indiana.
Larry Nance Jr.'s job with the Indiana Pacers starts at center, general manager Chad Buchanan said Thursday during the Pacers Foundation golf outing. Buchanan listed Nance behind Ivica Zubac in a group that also includes Jay Huff, Obi Toppin, and at times Jalen Slawson.
Nance agreed to a one-year deal on July 8, first reported by ESPN's Shams Charania at $4 million. The contract is a veteran minimum worth about $3.88 million. Indiana waived Micah Potter to complete it.
Pacers View Nance as Additional Center Depth
Buchanan said Pacers coach Rick Carlisle has flirted with playing Slawson, a two-way forward, at the five.
"Additional depth for us at the center position specifically," Buchanan said. "We have Zu obviously [who] will get major minutes there, Jay's there, Obi plays some five, Coach even flirts with Jalen Slawson a little there at the five at times too, and Larry just gives us an additional depth there. So he's got a veteran presence that [he] will bring [to] the locker room. And he's been in some big games, been [in] playoff series before. So we look for some leadership and mentorship from him as well."
Nance Brings Veteran Experience to Indiana
Nance played 35 games for the Cleveland Cavaliers last season, his second stint with his hometown team. In a career-low 12.8 minutes per game, he averaged 3.7 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 1.0 assist. He made 41.9% of his shots and 33.3% of his 3-pointers. He appeared in two of Cleveland's 18 playoff games.
Over 11 seasons, he has averaged 7.5 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 1.8 assists in 22.4 minutes. He is a career 53.5% shooter from the field.
The Los Angeles Lakers drafted Nance 27th overall out of Wyoming in 2015. He has also played for the Cavaliers twice, the Portland Trail Blazers, the New Orleans Pelicans, and the Atlanta Hawks. Indiana is his sixth team.
His playoff résumé includes the 2018 NBA Finals with Cleveland, which the Golden State Warriors swept. Nance, 33, is the son of three-time All-Star Larry Nance Sr. and grew up in Akron, Ohio.
Pacers Have Multiple Options Behind Ivica Zubac
Zubac, a second-team All-Defensive pick two seasons ago, appeared in only five games for Indiana after arriving from the LA Clippers in February. A fractured rib ended his season.
Huff played all 82 games last season. He averaged 9.5 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 1.5 assists and blocked 153 shots. His 1.9 blocks per game tied for second in the league. He scored a career-high 29 points against the Pelicans.
Toppin is listed as a forward. Slawson, who is 6-foot-7, started six of his 13 games with Indiana after signing a two-way contract in late February.
Myles Turner left for the Milwaukee Bucks in 2025. Isaiah Jackson went to the Clippers in the Zubac deal.
Indiana Added Nance After Kelly Oubre Jr.
Nance agreed to terms a week after Kelly Oubre Jr. did. Oubre's deal used the non-taxpayer mid-level exception, which left the Pacers hard-capped at the first apron and roughly $2.2 million below it.
Media day is Monday, with the first practice Tuesday. The preseason starts Oct. 7 against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Hilton Coliseum in Ames, Iowa.
