The Boston Celtics are likely to seek help in the frontcourt this offseason, but finances and the salary cap could make that mission a bit tricky.
But if they turn to the Cleveland Cavaliers, and use their own lottery pick, they just might find an answer in Larry Nance Jr., according former Memphis Grizzlies VP of basketball operations John Hollinger, currently of The Athletic.
The Celtics are coming off a loss to the Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference finals. They are armed with three first-round picks and the leaguewide consensus is they don’t want to keep all three (if any of them). One of those picks is the 14th overall, and that is the one that would entice potential trade partners the most.
The Celtics also have some big money approaching on the books, as they have to pay important players such as Jayson Tatum (who is due for an extension), Kemba Walker and Jaylen Brown. As Hollinger wrote, they will need to get creative if they want to add a versatile big man.
And heavens knows, Nance fits that description. Since coming to the Cavs in February 2018, he has played power forward … center … and even some small forward. He has started and come off the bench. He has developed a 3-point shot and was already one of the league’s highest frequent-flyers.
The Cavs love him. He seems to love the Cavs. He is a native of nearby Akron. It would take a lot to pry him out of Cleveland.
But Hollinger suggested it might be worth a shot for the Celtics, who apparently are more than willing to move center Enes Kanter, and may throw in the 14th pick to make it happen.
Hollinger actually identified a potential Celtics offer of Kanter, the 14th pick and reserve 7-footer Vincent Poirier as one that could bring back a legitimate frontcourt player.
“The most obvious target for such a deal would be Cleveland’s Larry Nance Jr., who could play 4 and 5 for (the Celtics) and who makes $11.7 million, $10.7 million and $9.7 million over the next three seasons,” Hollinger wrote. “That declining salary number is important, as it likely enables Boston to survive juuuuuust below the 2020-21 tax line if it wishes.”
That’s not all.
“This also gives the Celtics enough frontcourt power that they won’t feel too skittish about turning the center spot over to Robert Williams and Grant Williams when Daniel Theis‘ contract runs out,” Hollinger wrote.
Granted, this is all speculation at this point. And with the way things are going, the Celtics won’t need to submit a playoff roster until, like, May at the earliest.
But Hollinger is a former team executive and those types tend to talk to general managers and top decision-makers and are in on the talk around the league.
In other words, the Celtics highly likely are interested in Nance. Problem for them is, the Cavs aren’t looking to move him — and it would probably take more than the package floated by Hollinger to get them to change their minds.
