Even though he is no longer with the Cleveland Cavaliers, Larry Nance Jr. is still in full support of his former team and sees a bright future for the young Cavs.
In an emotional message he shared to Cleveland.com, Nance sent a warning to the rest of the NBA to watch out for the rebuilding Cavs. While the team has suffered years of heartbreaks since LeBron James left the team for the second time, the 28-year-old big man expressed his belief that the team is on the right path to success.
He also highlighted each key member of the Cavs and why the NBA should be scared about the future.
“As for the Cavs … this team is going to be a problem for the Eastern Conference when this talented young core is ready to compete. Darius Garland, the charismatic floor general with the kind of polished game every point guard should aspire to have. Collin Sexton is already one of the most efficient scorers in the league, and the hardest worker I’ve ever been around. I wasn’t around Kawhi Leonard when he was a young player in the league, but I imagine he was quite like Isaac. A defensive presence right away, with the tools and work ethic to develop an elite offensive game as well,” Nance said.
“Jarrett Allen, at 23, is already one of the best paint protectors in the league, and a center any team would be lucky to have. Really good player, even better person. I’ve played many times against Lauri Markkanen, so I’m all too familiar with the kind of matchup nightmare he is for defenses. While I didn’t spend too much time around Evan Mobley, I did get to watch a few workouts and he’s got the kind of potential that screams future star.”
The Cavs are a really young team, with Kevin Love (32) and Ricky Rubio (30) the only players aged 30 or older. After Damyean Dotson (27) and Cedi Osman (26), the rest of the players on the team are below 24.
With that said, the team certainly has plenty of room to grow and develop. And with the talent they have, Larry Nance Jr.’s warning may not be far-fetched at all.
Nance would have certainly wanted to be part of that future. Unfortunately for him, he is already 28 and he might no longer be at his peak when the Cavs’ current core are ready to compete in a few years. Considering that, he asked for a trade that will benefit both him and the franchise, which was why he was sent to the Portland Trail Blazers in a three-team trade.
Sure enough, it would have been great had Nance stayed with the Cavs. However, his absence doesn’t mean the excitement for the Wine and Gold should fade.