The Pacers didn’t treat their frontcourt change as a simple numbers game this summer. Even though Micah Potter posted the stronger season on paper, Indiana went in a different direction and brought in Larry Nance Jr., a move general manager Chad Buchanan said was driven by fit, flexibility and what the team believed it needed most.
Speaking on the Setting The Pace podcast, Buchanan said the Pacers saw Nance as their “best option that was gettable” among the available free-agent bigs. The appeal, he explained, went beyond production. Indiana liked the way Nance could fit into the room and into the style they want to play.
“I think our coaches felt really comfortable with his basketball IQ, his experience, and just his personality felt like a really good fit with our locker room as well,” Buchanan said, via Dustin Dopirak of the Indianapolis Star.
Nance, 33, signed a one-year deal with Indiana earlier this month after spending last season with the Cavaliers. His year in Cleveland was shortened by injuries, and he finished with 3.7 points and 2.7 rebounds in 35 appearances.
Potter’s numbers were more eye-catching. In 47 games for the Pacers, he averaged 9.7 points and 5.0 rebounds while shooting 51.5 percent from the field and 42.3 percent from 3-point range.
He was then claimed off waivers by the Trail Blazers after Indiana let him go, which makes it clear the Pacers weren’t questioning whether he could contribute. They just preferred what Nance brought to the table.
Buchanan also said Nance wanted the Pacers.
“Larry really had targeted us, wanted to be here with the Pacers and I think he’s very motivated to have a bounce-back season,” Buchanan said. “I think he would be the first to admit that last year didn’t go the way he hoped it would.”
Even with the signing in place, Nance isn’t being handed anything. Buchanan said the backup center spot behind Ivica Zubac will be decided through competition, with Nance, Jay Huff and, in some matchups, Obi Toppin all in the mix.
“He’s gotta come in and earn it,” Buchanan said of Nance. “Jay Huff has gotta earn those backup minutes as well. You have Obi as an option to come in and play some backup five.”
The Pacers are leaving room to adjust based on the opponent and the night. Nance brings defensive versatility, Huff offers shooting and rim protection, and Toppin gives them a smaller look when they want it.
“It’s probably going to be night-to-night who plays there,” Buchanan said, “but heading into camp it’s an open competition at this point.”
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