Cleveland Cavaliers: Larry Nance Jr. worthy of contract extension

The Cleveland Cavaliers may offer Larry Nance Jr. a contract extension soon. It’d be a smart move cementing a core that resembles a throwback Cavs team.

It was the night of the 2018 Slam Dunk Contest and anticipation of the spectacle was tepid. High-flier Zach LaVine still wasn’t right after ACL surgery, while rival Aaron Gordon decided not to compete.

The contest’s most interesting storyline revolved around Cleveland Cavaliers forward Larry Nance Jr. Yes, fans were excited to watch the new Cav dazzle with death-defying dunks. More importantly, they were interested in how Nance would pay homage to his father, who once amazed on the same stage.

He didn’t disappoint. Prior to his first slam, Nance dipped behind a curtain to change into the same jersey pops once wore. Then he proceeded to replicate his father’s iconic slam, gliding from one side of the paint to the other, cupping the ball behind his back before stuffing it through the hoop.

The crowd erupted. Picture-by-picture comparisons of the two Nance’s slams flashed on television. It was the first time dunkers with such a relationship competed in the competition. What made more exciting was they both played for Cleveland.

With LeBron James departure, Cleveland now seeks happy storylines. Those are few and far between for a franchise that may be looking at NBA purgatory while possibly sacrificing next year’s first round draft pick to Atlanta.

Larry Nance Jr. is a gem. Not only is he a talented player, he is a fan favorite, entertaining the young fans while satisfying nostalgic older ones. Now Cleveland needs to extend its partnership by making Nance part of long-term future.

With two more years left on his rookie deal, Nance is owed $2.3 million in 2018-19 and $3.7 million the next season, should he return to Cleveland. Nance can become a restricted free agent after the 2018-19 season. As long as the Cavaliers tender a $3.4 million qualifying offer, they would be able to match any offer sheet he signs with another team next summer.

It’ a relatively small number to tender, and Cleveland should prevent Nance from reaching unrestricted free agency — which explains their apparent interest in signing him to a long-term extension.

Nance’s dunks are flashier than his numbers. The post player averaged a humble 8.7 points and 6.8 rebounds per game last season. His more advanced numbers indicate strong performances in limited minutes. His Value Over Replacement Player (1.9) ranked 60th in the league, 23 slots better than teammate Kevin Love.

He averaged 19.4 points and 15.3 rebounds per 100 possessions between his time in Cleveland and with the Los Angeles Lakers, and the Cavaliers’ defensive rating improved with him on the floor.

The numbers reflect the potential for improvement with more opportunities, which is why the Cavs would be wise to sign the 25-year-old for pennies on the dollar before his value grows. A contract extension would  be a good investment, reflecting foresight from the front office.

With Tristan Thompson still committed to two more years with the team, it would lock in a steady rotation of post players for Cleveland for the next couple seasons. With Collin Sexton being the point guard of the future, Cleveland can shift its focus to the wing position as it attempts to rebuild on the fly.

Before LeBron, the Cavaliers enjoyed their longest period of sustained success during the late 1980s and early 90s. The team featured Larry Nance, the flashy dunker, in the frontcourt alongside the more workman-like post man, Brad Daugherty.

Nance awed audiences with the slams, pushing a double-double on a nightly basis. He also anchored the defense as an elite rim protector.

Daugherty was more fundamental, with the ability to splash in mid-range jumpers while grinding out 20-and-10 nights regularly. That Cavaliers era was overshadowed by the “Bad Boys” Detroit Pistons and Michael Jordan’s Chicago Bulls. If it weren’t for those two teams, Cleveland may have won a title sooner than 2016.

Kevin Love is the present-day Daugherty, demoralizing opponents with grit and touch. Naturally, Larry Nance Jr. plays like his father, but less productive.

Maybe young Nance morphs into something more prominent. Maybe he becomes his father, and Love continues to resemble Daugherty. If Sexton could be their Mark Price, this Cavs team would begin to resemble something familiar and very special to Cleveland fans.