Larry Nance to Portland

[DeBlazerRiddem]

Yeah, I don't believe that report one bit. The financial aspect doesn't make sense and the refusal to give up a second round pick breaking the deal also doesn't make sense. Just doesn't hold water.

My guess is the Blazers offered Chicago the package they wanted, but Cleveland offered Lauri the contract he wanted, so they worked out a 3 team deal to make everyone happy.

[DusterBuster]

Always nice to have fans of other teams say things like "No! Not Nance! He was the heart and soul of this team!" I don't think a single Blazer fan posted "No! Not DJJ!"

I'll be honest, for a player who spent the whole season with the Blazers, I can't think of anyone who left less of an impression on me one way or another than DJJ. I'm sure he's a nice dude and all, but yeah.... Didn't seem to leave the remotest of impact on the fans.

[DusterBuster]

Almost like... I already knew... https://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/263954/Kevin-Love-Cavaliers-Making-Progress-On-Buyout

Notttt so fast….

Hmmmmm....

Read on Twitter

Don't believe the "doesn't want a buyout..." That's just agent posturing to get maximum payout.

It's not question he wants to goto Portland. That's been a pretty poorly kept secret. The issue is the buyout. I disagree that it's posturing. Love isn't giving back a penny of his contract (nor should he) in a buyout, he's clearly fine enough to just spend his last 2 years in Cleveland to make sure he collects all of his salary.

Also, if he gets bought out, there's no guarantee he comes to Portland (or that Portland would even pursue him for that matter). Once he's a FA, he has a lot more options like the Lakers which I'm sure he'd be just as happy to play at (arguably more attractive of a destination with 2 former teammates in his college town).

So yeah, no offense, but still don't believe for a second there is some sort of secret 2nd part of his deal regarding the Love buyout like you had hypothesized earlier in this thread.

I don't know what the end game here is for either Love or Cleveland tho. He doesn't really want to be there, his game has deteriorated so much that he's pretty unhelpful to them from a winning perspective... he can hardly be a 3rd option on a good team at this point - let alone your best player. And with that, no one wants to pay a salary for a guy who's gone that far downhill quality wise, even if he can still play (see Blake Griffin), so he's essentially untradable for the Cavs until next season. The Cavs would be better off just paying him his whole salary in a buyout so he can go elsewhere and he stops being a distraction for the team. I don't see how saving a couple mil on his deal is really worth the headache for them as an organization. Maybe they're hoping he can be a good trade asset in 22-23 as an expiring deal, but as we've seen before, MASSIVE expiring deals tend to be hard to move, so if that is their thinking, I don't really see it playing out in their favor.

And then for Love, like, I get the idea of wanting every single penny of the contract you signed, but is the tiny bit the Cavs are trying to recoup on the deal in a buyout REALLY worth 2 more years playing somewhere where you're (reportedly) miserable and constantly wanting to be traded from? The guy has already made so much money, the little bit the Cavs are trying to save likely wouldn't be noticeable I would think (assuming he's invested wisely). For a guy who's so much about mental health, you'd think he would prioritize that over money.

I donno, I'm sure there's a lot I'm not seeing as a fan, but it sure feels like this is a silly game of chicken for both sides to be playing.

[Soulyss]

Notttt so fast….

Hmmmmm....

Read on Twitter

Don't believe the "doesn't want a buyout..." That's just agent posturing to get maximum payout.

It's not question he wants to goto Portland. That's been a pretty poorly kept secret. The issue is the buyout. I disagree that it's posturing. Love isn't giving back a penny of his contract (nor should he) in a buyout, he's clearly fine enough to just spend his last 2 years in Cleveland to make sure he collects all of his salary.

Also, if he gets bought out, there's no guarantee he comes to Portland (or that Portland would even pursue him for that matter). Once he's a FA, he has a lot more options like the Lakers which I'm sure he'd be just as happy to play at (arguably more attractive of a destination with 2 former teammates in his college town).

So yeah, no offense, but still don't believe for a second there is some sort of secret 2nd part of his deal regarding the Love buyout like you had hypothesized earlier in this thread.

I don't know what the end game here is for either Love or Cleveland tho. He doesn't really want to be there, his game has deteriorated so much that he's pretty unhelpful to them from a winning perspective... he can hardly be a 3rd option on a good team at this point - let alone your best player. And with that, no one wants to pay a salary for a guy who's gone that far downhill quality wise, even if he can still play (see Blake Griffin), so he's essentially untradable for the Cavs until next season. The Cavs would be better off just paying him his whole salary in a buyout so he can go elsewhere and he stops being a distraction for the team. I don't see how saving a couple mil on his deal is really worth the headache for them as an organization. Maybe they're hoping he can be a good trade asset in 22-23 as an expiring deal, but as we've seen before, MASSIVE expiring deals tend to be hard to move, so if that is their thinking, I don't really see it playing out in their favor.

And then for Love, like, I get the idea of wanting every single penny of the contract you signed, but is the tiny bit the Cavs are trying to recoup on the deal in a buyout REALLY worth 2 more years playing somewhere where you're (reportedly) miserable and constantly wanting to be traded from? The guy has already made so much money, the little bit the Cavs are trying to save likely wouldn't be noticeable I would think (assuming he's invested wisely). For a guy who's so much about mental health, you'd think he would prioritize that over money.

I donno, I'm sure there's a lot I'm not seeing as a fan, but it sure feels like this is a silly game of chicken for both sides to be playing.

I agree 100%. No way a dude who preaches about mental health will stay in Cleveland the next two years. We all saw last year, we all saw his body language, etc. He's gonna give back some money to get out. a lot? no, but I think it will be around 10% which he should mostly recoup from a team wanting him.

You are right, it might not be the Blazers... but as we have seen with Batum & Griffin... Washed up max players miraculously become useful rotation players post-buy outs... almost like a miracle.

[wjun15]

Read through the comments, and there were lots of good/smart ones. Nance Jr. is nice, and a decent upgrade considering fit on this team. I think he will remind us of Batum, and could eventually start at PF, if we can refrain from starting Powell, but that would require moving CJ.

I hope Olshey isn't done. If Olshey could do:
1. CJ for Harris (Great for both teams IMO/Balancing act)
2. Sign Rondo
3. Sign LA

Dame / Rondo
Powell / Simons
ROCO / Little
Nance Jr. / Harris
Nurkic / LA

I have a different lineup:

Dame/Mudiay
Powell/Little/Snell
Covington/Little/Snell
Siakam/Nance/Markieff
Nance/Mcgee/Zeller

1. Im very high on Little to make a leap this year and want him to get 25 min a night playing the backup 2/3

2. The reason I want Mudiay is because we need someone that can put pressure on defenses by penetrating and playmakin (i.e. Payne, Monte Morris, Mudiay types)g, and not just a shooter at the pg position that stands in the corner (simons). Without having a another playmaker this puts too much pressure on Dame to play 35 + min a night. Think of guys like Cam Payne that actually outplays CP3 at least 25% of the time. Simons will never do that for us.

3. Trade CJ and Nurk for Siakam and filler. Nurk is in contract year anyways and we should not re-sign him. Nurk will prolly have a career year this year and we all know hes going to go back to his inconsistent/injured self the following years.

4. Trade Simons (attach another future pick as well) and get a solid backup PF/PG (not saying Morris twins are worth that but one of the Morris twins would be a good fit. Or a PJ Tucker type that will bring toughness.

5. We just need a rim protector at the 5 (i.e. a McGee type that doesnt need to have much offense as we will be playing small ball most of the time outside of playing D on AD, Embidd, etc)'


We would have all nba potential defenders in Roco, Siakam, Nance

Above average defender in Powell.

Little has potential to be a great defender as well.

And a shot blocker/rim protector in Mcgee.

This would leave only one player starting that is an average/subpar defender in Dame.

[HoopsFanAZ]

Agreed with all or darn close of what's above. It's his agent's job to maximize the money AND protect his client from a negative narrative AND get him to a better situation. I hope that situation is the Blazers.

Having RoCo play SF minutes with Nance and Love carrying some PF load would be a good thing. Having Little improve, too. And CJ playing the backup PG and acting like one. And ...

It does seem like a game of chicken or posing in a stand off or ... but it will change soon enough. The Cavs are committed to going young. Nance was the "old guy" who played well while Love is the really old guy. Sooner is better for both. Love should not play until he's gone as he needs to maximize being healthy, and the team needs to move on. I wish the Cavs well.

[I'd prefer Draymond Green in the elusive Simmons 3-teamer.] [Or even LMA pending approval.] [Or some others. ] [But I'm fine with Love, too.]

[Norm2953]

It'd be an interesting problem, trying to fit Love onto Portland's current roster. The last thing Portland
needs is another chronically injured player.

No question Portland is not looking to add any more salary and if anything needs to cut some salary
to get under the tax line. Team still does not have a starting caliber SF but seems to have the new
Aminu/Harkless in Roco/Nance Jr. I still would like to see a CJ deal which nets the team two roughly
$15 million players (PG/SF) for the team would need another PG if CJ gets dealt.

[zzaj]

I’m a bit indifferent about this move…unless of course it helps keep Lillard in Portland.

Nance is a good player to have on the team. He reminds me a bit of the engaged version of Harkless. Actually RoCo/Nance at 3 and 4 in some ways is similar (and better) to the Aminu/Hark pairing.

Nance’s health is certainly a concern.

I would MUCH rather start Powell and have CJ off the bench as 6th man of the year, if he’s going to be on the team. But I’ve been harping on that for at least 5 years—ain’t gonna happen.

[Dame Lizard]

I’m a bit indifferent about this move…unless of course it helps keep Lillard in Portland.

Nance is a good player to have on the team. He reminds me a bit of the engaged version of Harkless. Actually RoCo/Nance at 3 and 4 in some ways is similar (and better) to the Aminu/Hark pairing.

Nance’s health is certainly a concern.

I would MUCH rather start Powell and have CJ off the bench as 6th man of the year, if he’s going to be on the team. But I’ve been harping on that for at least 5 years—ain’t gonna happen.

While I agree that CJ would be a great sixth man who plays starter minutes, how the coach uses him throughout the 48 minutes is more important than whether he starts or not.

Stotts started both, then often subbed CJ out after 6 minutes, and replaced Dame with CJ at the 12 minute mark. That has a similar effect, in a way.

[Pattycakes]

Read through the comments, and there were lots of good/smart ones. Nance Jr. is nice, and a decent upgrade considering fit on this team. I think he will remind us of Batum, and could eventually start at PF, if we can refrain from starting Powell, but that would require moving CJ.

I hope Olshey isn't done. If Olshey could do:
1. CJ for Harris (Great for both teams IMO/Balancing act)
2. Sign Rondo
3. Sign LA

Dame / Rondo
Powell / Simons
ROCO / Little
Nance Jr. / Harris
Nurkic / LA

I have a different lineup:

Dame/Mudiay
Powell/Little/Snell
Covington/Little/Snell
Siakam/Nance/Markieff
Nance/Mcgee/Zeller

1. Im very high on Little to make a leap this year and want him to get 25 min a night playing the backup 2/3

2. The reason I want Mudiay is because we need someone that can put pressure on defenses by penetrating and playmakin (i.e. Payne, Monte Morris, Mudiay types)g, and not just a shooter at the pg position that stands in the corner (simons). Without having a another playmaker this puts too much pressure on Dame to play 35 + min a night. Think of guys like Cam Payne that actually outplays CP3 at least 25% of the time. Simons will never do that for us.

3. Trade CJ and Nurk for Siakam and filler. Nurk is in contract year anyways and we should not re-sign him. Nurk will prolly have a career year this year and we all know hes going to go back to his inconsistent/injured self the following years.

4. Trade Simons (attach another future pick as well) and get a solid backup PF/PG (not saying Morris twins are worth that but one of the Morris twins would be a good fit. Or a PJ Tucker type that will bring toughness.

5. We just need a rim protector at the 5 (i.e. a McGee type that doesnt need to have much offense as we will be playing small ball most of the time outside of playing D on AD, Embidd, etc)'


We would have all nba potential defenders in Roco, Siakam, Nance

Above average defender in Powell.

Little has potential to be a great defender as well.

And a shot blocker/rim protector in Mcgee.

This would leave only one player starting that is an average/subpar defender in Dame.

Thank God you’re a realgm fan and not legitimately in a place of decisionmaking.. for several reasons in that post. And I don’t even mind Siakam.

[BlazersBroncos]

Read through the comments, and there were lots of good/smart ones. Nance Jr. is nice, and a decent upgrade considering fit on this team. I think he will remind us of Batum, and could eventually start at PF, if we can refrain from starting Powell, but that would require moving CJ.

I hope Olshey isn't done. If Olshey could do:
1. CJ for Harris (Great for both teams IMO/Balancing act)
2. Sign Rondo
3. Sign LA

Dame / Rondo
Powell / Simons
ROCO / Little
Nance Jr. / Harris
Nurkic / LA

I have a different lineup:

Dame/Mudiay
Powell/Little/Snell
Covington/Little/Snell
Siakam/Nance/Markieff
Nance/Mcgee/Zeller

1. Im very high on Little to make a leap this year and want him to get 25 min a night playing the backup 2/3

2. The reason I want Mudiay is because we need someone that can put pressure on defenses by penetrating and playmakin (i.e. Payne, Monte Morris, Mudiay types)g, and not just a shooter at the pg position that stands in the corner (simons). Without having a another playmaker this puts too much pressure on Dame to play 35 + min a night. Think of guys like Cam Payne that actually outplays CP3 at least 25% of the time. Simons will never do that for us.

3. Trade CJ and Nurk for Siakam and filler. Nurk is in contract year anyways and we should not re-sign him. Nurk will prolly have a career year this year and we all know hes going to go back to his inconsistent/injured self the following years.

4. Trade Simons (attach another future pick as well) and get a solid backup PF/PG (not saying Morris twins are worth that but one of the Morris twins would be a good fit. Or a PJ Tucker type that will bring toughness.

5. We just need a rim protector at the 5 (i.e. a McGee type that doesnt need to have much offense as we will be playing small ball most of the time outside of playing D on AD, Embidd, etc)'


We would have all nba potential defenders in Roco, Siakam, Nance

Above average defender in Powell.

Little has potential to be a great defender as well.

And a shot blocker/rim protector in Mcgee.

This would leave only one player starting that is an average/subpar defender in Dame.

Thank God you’re a realgm fan and not legitimately in a place of decisionmaking.. for several reasons in that post. And I don’t even mind Siakam.

That ending squad is easily better than what we are fielding currently. The bench scoring would be an issue but just dont trade Simons. But it wont happen, as Pascal isnt going to be moved.

[DusterBuster]

Hmmmmm....

Read on Twitter

Don't believe the "doesn't want a buyout..." That's just agent posturing to get maximum payout.

It's not question he wants to goto Portland. That's been a pretty poorly kept secret. The issue is the buyout. I disagree that it's posturing. Love isn't giving back a penny of his contract (nor should he) in a buyout, he's clearly fine enough to just spend his last 2 years in Cleveland to make sure he collects all of his salary.

Also, if he gets bought out, there's no guarantee he comes to Portland (or that Portland would even pursue him for that matter). Once he's a FA, he has a lot more options like the Lakers which I'm sure he'd be just as happy to play at (arguably more attractive of a destination with 2 former teammates in his college town).

So yeah, no offense, but still don't believe for a second there is some sort of secret 2nd part of his deal regarding the Love buyout like you had hypothesized earlier in this thread.

I don't know what the end game here is for either Love or Cleveland tho. He doesn't really want to be there, his game has deteriorated so much that he's pretty unhelpful to them from a winning perspective... he can hardly be a 3rd option on a good team at this point - let alone your best player. And with that, no one wants to pay a salary for a guy who's gone that far downhill quality wise, even if he can still play (see Blake Griffin), so he's essentially untradable for the Cavs until next season. The Cavs would be better off just paying him his whole salary in a buyout so he can go elsewhere and he stops being a distraction for the team. I don't see how saving a couple mil on his deal is really worth the headache for them as an organization. Maybe they're hoping he can be a good trade asset in 22-23 as an expiring deal, but as we've seen before, MASSIVE expiring deals tend to be hard to move, so if that is their thinking, I don't really see it playing out in their favor.

And then for Love, like, I get the idea of wanting every single penny of the contract you signed, but is the tiny bit the Cavs are trying to recoup on the deal in a buyout REALLY worth 2 more years playing somewhere where you're (reportedly) miserable and constantly wanting to be traded from? The guy has already made so much money, the little bit the Cavs are trying to save likely wouldn't be noticeable I would think (assuming he's invested wisely). For a guy who's so much about mental health, you'd think he would prioritize that over money.

I donno, I'm sure there's a lot I'm not seeing as a fan, but it sure feels like this is a silly game of chicken for both sides to be playing.

I agree 100%. No way a dude who preaches about mental health will stay in Cleveland the next two years. We all saw last year, we all saw his body language, etc. He's gonna give back some money to get out. a lot? no, but I think it will be around 10% which he should mostly recoup from a team wanting him.

You are right, it might not be the Blazers... but as we have seen with Batum & Griffin... Washed up max players miraculously become useful rotation players post-buy outs... almost like a miracle.

Yeah, he can probably still be a productive rotation player for someone, for sure. He's just not gonna be a fortune turner, just like Batum and Griffin weren't for the Clips and Nets respectively. I would view the Blazers getting Love a lot like I did them getting Melo, fun storyline, but probably not a needle mover anymore for making the team appreciably better.

[Soulyss]

I agree 100%. No way a dude who preaches about mental health will stay in Cleveland the next two years. We all saw last year, we all saw his body language, etc. He's gonna give back some money to get out. a lot? no, but I think it will be around 10% which he should mostly recoup from a team wanting him.

You are right, it might not be the Blazers... but as we have seen with Batum & Griffin... Washed up max players miraculously become useful rotation players post-buy outs... almost like a miracle.

Yeah, he can probably still be a productive rotation player for someone, for sure. He's just not gonna be a fortune turner, just like Batum and Griffin weren't for the Clips and Nets respectively. I would view the Blazers getting Love a lot like I did them getting Melo, fun storyline, but probably not a needle mover anymore for making the team appreciably better.

This is true, but he would be nice insurance for the 4/5. He's still a quality rebounder and space... We're never going to see T-Wolves Kevin again... but I suspect he could be a more valuable rotation piece than Melo.

[BlazersBroncos]

Love would be a great signing as a backup C. His floor spacing would be tremendous.

I have huge reservations on Ben, but his defense alone may be worth it. I think CJ + 2 FRP for Ben w/ a follow up of signing a bought out Kevin Love would be the best potential, realistic roster we could field going into 2021. Its a bit of a dream, but this looks sexy:

G - Damian Lillard (34) / Anfernee Simons (14)
G - Norman Powell (30) / Anfernee Simons (10) / Tony Snell (8)
F - Ben Simmons (30) / Robert Covington (10) / Tony Snell (8)
F - Robert Covington (20) / Larry Nance Jr (28)
C - Jusuf Nurkic (28) / Kevin Love (20)

Deep Bench - CJ Elleby, Ben Mclemore, Greg Brown, Cody Zeller

You stagger Dame / Ben to ensure Simmons is on the floor the 14 minutes that Dame isnt. I think Snell gets the nod over Little in the rotation due to his shooting.

But, alas, not to be most likely.

[wjun15]

Read through the comments, and there were lots of good/smart ones. Nance Jr. is nice, and a decent upgrade considering fit on this team. I think he will remind us of Batum, and could eventually start at PF, if we can refrain from starting Powell, but that would require moving CJ.

I hope Olshey isn't done. If Olshey could do:
1. CJ for Harris (Great for both teams IMO/Balancing act)
2. Sign Rondo
3. Sign LA

Dame / Rondo
Powell / Simons
ROCO / Little
Nance Jr. / Harris
Nurkic / LA

I have a different lineup:

Dame/Mudiay
Powell/Little/Snell
Covington/Little/Snell
Siakam/Nance/Markieff
Nance/Mcgee/Zeller

1. Im very high on Little to make a leap this year and want him to get 25 min a night playing the backup 2/3

2. The reason I want Mudiay is because we need someone that can put pressure on defenses by penetrating and playmakin (i.e. Payne, Monte Morris, Mudiay types)g, and not just a shooter at the pg position that stands in the corner (simons). Without having a another playmaker this puts too much pressure on Dame to play 35 + min a night. Think of guys like Cam Payne that actually outplays CP3 at least 25% of the time. Simons will never do that for us.

3. Trade CJ and Nurk for Siakam and filler. Nurk is in contract year anyways and we should not re-sign him. Nurk will prolly have a career year this year and we all know hes going to go back to his inconsistent/injured self the following years.

4. Trade Simons (attach another future pick as well) and get a solid backup PF/PG (not saying Morris twins are worth that but one of the Morris twins would be a good fit. Or a PJ Tucker type that will bring toughness.

5. We just need a rim protector at the 5 (i.e. a McGee type that doesnt need to have much offense as we will be playing small ball most of the time outside of playing D on AD, Embidd, etc)'


We would have all nba potential defenders in Roco, Siakam, Nance

Above average defender in Powell.

Little has potential to be a great defender as well.

And a shot blocker/rim protector in Mcgee.

This would leave only one player starting that is an average/subpar defender in Dame.

Thank God you’re a realgm fan and not legitimately in a place of decisionmaking.. for several reasons in that post. And I don’t even mind Siakam.

Why you say so? With Siakam you have a legit all star 2nd option and defense at every position except PG. You have 3 guys that can legit get you a bucket (Dame, Powell, Siakam). You have a legit post up/face up threat in Siakam. All three can hit 3s, then you have covington and nance that can also hit open 3s. Not to mention, Cov, Nance, AND siakam can play small ball 5 (they can even rotate 3-5)

Just watch, Little will have a breakout year (if given the minutes) He can also rotate SG-SF (and possibly PF)

You have a modern day small ball lineup with Nance at the 5 (dame, powell, cov, siakam, nance) and you throw in mcgee/zeller if you need to guard the occassional traditional big man (embidd, ad)

People keep talking about how powell arms is long enough to play the SF, but people dont get that its not about powell being able to play the SF, its the advantage we will have by playing powell at the SG next to Dame.

Nurk will command more money after his potential career year this year an we should not pay him.

[BlazersBroncos]

Nurk will command more money after his potential career year this year an we should not pay him.

Nurkic having a career year is literally the only scenario where we should pay him. If he plays like his breakout year, remains healthy and improves in a few areas (All things very, very possible) then we should pony up.

Any other scenario and we should let him walk.

[PDXKnight]

Nurk will command more money after his potential career year this year an we should not pay him.

Nurkic having a career year is literally the only scenario where we should pay him. If he plays like his breakout year, remains healthy and improves in a few areas (All things very, very possible) then we should pony up.

Any other scenario and we should let him walk.

yes seriously, Nurk is a constant injury waiting to happen. I think injury history will drive down asking price even if he has a career year but in the unlikely scenario it doesn’t drive down price i’d be very skeptical of paying him a ton even if he did muster a solid season.

Now honestly it feels like this season might be nurks last hoorah here if he can’t hit the court much. And at this point much more than 15-20 mil a season for nurk feels like it’d be murder unless he’s an all star or close to it

[Case2012]

Nurk never met a bricked layup he didn’t like, and he’s going to walk for nothing unless we overpay. He might walk for nothing anyways if Dame signals he’s gonna ask for a trade, so I would be proactive and deal him at the deadline if not before the start of camp. It’s too bad there’s not much out there for a Nurk and CJ package.

[monopoman]

I mean when healthy Nurk is easily one of the better centers out there, I could see some team desperate for big man help offer him a larger contract. The defense is vastly improved when he is on the court and we can see that play out often. If his shot was more consistent I would actually consider him an all-star level center when healthy.

I also have a feeling Portland will just bite the bullet and match any offer he gets, losing Nurk is a good way to lose Lillard. Since he will not be pleased with a cost saving move when Lillard is quickly approaching his twilight years in the NBA.

A cost saving move like losing Nurk will just make Lillard upset, unless you can convince him an incoming C is better.

[Andre 2999]

I also have a feeling Portland will just bite the bullet and match any offer he gets, losing Nurk is a good way to lose Lillard.

I believe the Blazers only have his Non-Bird rights. Meaning they can offer Nurk, at most, 120% of his current contract - which would be $14.4 million. Maybe that's enough to re-sign him, but if you think someone would offer more, it's worth considering what you could get for him in a trade.