Nov 4, 2024; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) drives to the basket against Milwaukee Bucks guard Andre Jackson Jr. (44) during the second half at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images

'This Team Has Paid Their Dues' – Cleveland Cavaliers Forward Drops Bold Prediction on the Team’s Ceiling

Originally posted on Hardwood Heroics | By Jordan Samar | Last updated Aug 23, 2025 10:03 AM ET

Larry Nance Jr. strongly believes that the Cleveland Cavaliers are primed to take the next step this upcoming season after back-to-back second-round exits in the playoffs.

With the Eastern Conference weaker on paper, following the brutal injuries of Jayson Tatum and Tyrese Haliburton , Nance said that the Cleveland Cavaliers should use this rare opportunity to make a run for the Larry O’Brien trophy.

“Very rarely do you get a team in the NBA that just ascends straight to a championship. So sure, the Cavs they got to the second round, got to the second round again,” Nance said on The Hoop Collective podcast.

Oct 8, 2024; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Hawks forward Larry Nance Jr. (22) on the court before the game against the Indiana Pacers at State Farm Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images

“So it feels like this team has paid their dues…It feels like they’ve taken their lumps. You need a few fortunate breaks,” he added.

Cleveland Cavaliers News: Larry Nance Jr. explains how he can help the team this upcoming season

Larry Nance Jr. returned to the Cleveland Cavaliers this offseason after spending the past four years with the Portland Trail Blazers, New Orleans Pelicans, and the Atlanta Hawks. Now that he is one of the team’s veterans, the 32-year-old will likely serve as the backup behind Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley.

Nov 4, 2024; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen (31) and forward Evan Mobley (4) celebrate during the second half against the Milwaukee Bucks at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images

“Over the past few years, I’ve really worked hard to develop my three-point shot, and that’s really been a huge asset for my game. So, their frontcourt, Evan and Jarrett, are obviously allstar, super defensive players,” Nance said on his role.

“They’re awesome, but the one thing that I really think that I can help them with is adding a player in the front court that can bring your bigs out, bring your bigs away from the rim a little bit. Stretch the corner, stretch the court from the top of the key,” he concluded.