The Indiana Pacers have reached an agreement with free agent big man Larry Nance Jr. on a one-year deal for the veteran’s minimum of $3.88 million, a team source told The Athletic on Wednesday. The source spoke on condition of anonymity because the deal has not been completed.
Indianapolis is the latest stop on a well-traveled career for the 33-year-old Nance. A former first-round pick of the Los Angeles Lakers (No. 27) in 2015, he has also played for the Cleveland Cavaliers, New Orleans Pelicans, Portland Trail Blazers and Atlanta Hawks. The 6-foot-6 forward-center played just 35 games last season in Cleveland, averaging 3.7 points and 2.7 rebounds.
Nance has been more of a part-time player the past two seasons in Atlanta and Cleveland, as injuries have kept him on the shelf for long stretches. But at his best, he can help Indiana on the glass as a reserve four behind Pascal Siakam (and, sometimes, playing with Siakam and Ivica Zubac if coach Rick Carlisle opts for bigger lineups).