The Indiana Pacers are drawing fresh scrutiny for one of their quieter free agency decisions, and it has nothing to do with the bigger names. After largely standing pat in the 2026 NBA offseason, Indiana signed veteran big man Larry Nance Jr. to a one-year, $4 million deal and waived Micah Potter in the corresponding move.
That choice has become a talking point because Potter was one of the more useful pieces on the roster last season. In his first year with the Pacers, he played in 47 games and started seven, putting up 9.7 points, five rebounds and 1.5 assists per game while shooting 51.5 percent from the field and 42.3 percent from three.
Nance brings a different profile. He appeared in 35 games for the Cleveland Cavaliers last season, starting three times, and averaged 12.8 minutes per game. His numbers were modest - 3.7 points and 2.7 rebounds per game - but the Pacers are clearly betting on his experience and defensive feel.
Sports Illustrated’s Alex Golden questioned the basketball side of the move while acknowledging the logic behind it.
"I understand the financial reasoning, and I understand why the front office trusts Nance more than Potter. But from an on-court perspective, I would have preferred they target soneone capable of legitimately competing for the backup center role," Golden wrote.
"That's why this lands at a C+. The salary savings and locker room boost prevent it from being a lower grade, but I wasn't overally excited about the basketball fit."
Golden also drew a direct contrast between the two players’ skill sets.
"Potter provides more floor spacing and outside shooting, while Nance brings significantly more NBA experience, stronger defensive instincts, and better playmaking in the frontcourt."
The Pacers entered the offseason with some buzz after Kevin Pritchard hinted at an aggressive approach, but that never really materialized. Instead, Indiana mostly brought back the core that pushed the team to the NBA Finals two years ago and took the Oklahoma City Thunder to Game 7 before Tyrese Haliburton went down with a torn Achilles.
The offseason did include one notable addition in veteran wing Kelly Oubre Jr., a move that could pay off in a big way. But the Nance-Potter swap has become the kind of decision that invites debate, especially when one player had just delivered a strong season and the other arrives after a limited role in Cleveland.
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