Boston Celtics: Larry Nance’s value is lower than ever and Cs need to bite

One of the most significant factors of the offseason is the NBA draft, which is kicking into gear as the draft day grows closer and closer. It determines which teams will be buyers and sellers depending on who they pick and what the direction of their franchise is afterward. As it pertains to the Boston Celtics, one of the teams at the top of the NBA’s lottery may have what they’ve been looking for as they try to bring home Banner #18.

The Cleveland Cavaliers might have an insane stroke of luck on draft night if the rumors regarding the Houston Rockets pick come to fruition. Reportedly, the Rockets have more interest in Jalen Green than they do Evan Mobley, which means the star-studded big man will fall right into the Cavaliers’ lap at three. Whether or not Houston’s decision is a good one is irrelevant; the fact remains Cleveland will have a log jam at the center position and will look to sell on one of their veteran bigs.

The Boston Celtics should steer clear of Kevin Love, given his age, contract, skill set, and outbursts with the Cavs in recent seasons. Larry Nance Jr, however, fits the glove almost too perfectly. Since Boston traded for Evan Fournier and took out a decent chunk in their Gordan Hayward TPE, Nance has been on the radar for the Cs since his contract fits what Boston has left of the TPE.

On top of his financial fit, Nance would be an ideal frontcourt partner for Al Horford, Robert Williams, and Jayson Tatum. At six-foot-seven, he’s a bit undersized as a 5, but his more diminutive stature gives him more mobility and better balance despite still having the strength to bang down low with opposing centers.

Nance provides elite positional versatility, great passing lane defense, timely rotations, and great discipline on the defensive end. Ime Udoka can deploy him as a man-to-man four, roaming four, or small ball five, depending on their opponent.

On the offensive end, Nance can do it all. He has excellent ball skills for someone his size, even better vision and touch, and can hit the outside shot. Often Nance brought the ball up for Cleveland and initiated their offense, but other times Nance was their go-to spot-up threat.

He is excellent in screenplays, possessing the ability to function as both a roll threat and pop threat with his solid shooting and finishing. Nance can find guys out of the perimeter or under the rim in both play types and has the delivery skills to get the ball to them. He’s sort of like Al Horford in that way, and even with Horford on the roster, they can still coexist together on both ends.

It was recently reported that the Cavs were willing to take on extra salary to get off of Nance, which in most cases means they see him as a negative asset. However, given how good of a season Nance just had, I find it more likely that the Cavs want to move him in preparation for Evan Mobley.

If the Cavs are willing to take on Tristan Thompson, who I know would be contradictory to the rumor, then the Boston Celtics can add on a pick or a struggling young guy to get Cleveland to bite. Whatever the case may be, his price is painfully lower than it should be, and the Celtics need to pounce.