Portland Trail Blazers: 3 Reasons to love the Larry Nance Jr trade

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - FEBRUARY 28: Larry Nance Jr. #22 of the Cleveland Cavaliers reacts against the New Orleans Pelicans during the second half at the Smoothie King Center on February 28, 2020 in New Orleans, Louisiana. 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 Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) /

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(Photo by Will Newton/Getty Images) /

Reason #2 – He has excellent offense

Nance is a combo big with his ability to play the four and the five, and even a little bit of small forward. As a big, he can initiate from the elbow, the high post, or the perimeter.

Nance is an excellent passer who can do things in different situations. If he played next to Covington in a small ball unit, he could be the five-man who would initiate in either transition or half-court situations. With Covington’s floor spacing, this is a lineup we could see in either the playoffs or the regular season.

Normally, I think the Blazers will have Nance off the bench next to Zeller, where he can stretch the floor. As a shooter, Nance has improved significantly over the last three years of his career. Averaging a strong 36 percent from distance, he is a strong enough floor spacer that he can provide a legitimate pick and pop threat. The Blazers haven’t had a guy who could do both of those wings for a while. Meyers Leonard was one, but he never played enough as he wasn’t able to defend or pass at high enough levels.

As a finisher, Nance thrives in transition, and alongside Anfernee Simons, Nassir Little, and maybe even Greg Brown, he can provide a presence for a backup unit that would change the way the Blazers bench operates.

Nance is a strong offensive player for this Blazers team.