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Los Angeles Lakers: Ranking the last 10 first-round picks

By Amaar Burton

MILWAUKEE, WI - FEBRUARY 22: D'Angelo Russell #1 of the Los Angeles Lakers drives to the hoop during the game against the Milwaukee Bucks at BMO Harris Bradley Center on February 22, 2016 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mike McGinnis/Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE, WI - FEBRUARY 22: D'Angelo Russell #1 of the Los Angeles Lakers drives to the hoop during the game against the Milwaukee Bucks at BMO Harris Bradley Center on February 22, 2016 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mike McGinnis/Getty Images) /
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Los Angeles Lakers Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images
Los Angeles Lakers Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images /

7. Larry Nance Jr. (2015)

Since being taken with the 27th pick in 2015, Larry Nance Jr. has taken small steps toward making a name for himself beyond being the son of Larry Nance Sr., a former NBA All-Star and All-Defensive performer.

The younger Nance played two and a half seasons for the Lakers, averaging 6.9 points, 5.7 rebounds and 1.2 steals per game on teams that were never close to making the playoffs. He was traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers (one of his dad’s former teams) midway through the 2017-18 season.

Suddenly thrust into a high-pressure situation on a title-contending squad, Nance had some shining moments for the Cavs on their way to the 2018 NBA Finals.

The 6’7″ power forward had four blocks against the Boston Celtics in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Finals, and he came one point shy of a double-double in Game 1 of the NBA Finals against the Golden State Warriors. His athleticism and energy around the rim was crucial for a Cleveland team that didn’t have much depth in the frontcourt.

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Nance competed in the 2018 Slam Dunk contest, paying homage to Larry Sr. — winner of the NBA’s first dunk contest in 1984 — and eventually finishing second to Donovan Mitchell.

After that run to the Finals, LeBron left Cleveland for the Lakers, and the Cavs have been in rebuilding mode ever since. Nance has remained a useful piece of the puzzle, averaging a career-high 10.1 points to go with 7.3 rebounds this season.

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