NBA Notes: Cavs, Larry Nance Jr, Pistons, Jaden Ivey, Pacers

Cavaliers

Larry Nance Jr. never really left the Cavaliers — not mentally, anyway.

The Ohio native officially returned to Cleveland this offseason, and while the move felt like a reunion to fans, it was more like a continuation for Nance himself.

“It just made too much sense, you know? I knew I would (be back one day). I didn’t know when,” Nance told Cleveland.com’s Chris Fedor. “This is a team that’s really got a chance to win it all. And that’s the goal. That’s why I came back, and that’s what we’re going to do this year.”

Nance, who spent parts of four seasons with the Cavs from 2018–21, has remained close with the organization since his departure. He continued to spend his summers in Cleveland and has long viewed the franchise as home.

The veteran forward is expected to provide frontcourt depth, locker-room leadership, and even some toughness for a Cavaliers team that finished 64-18 this past season, before being bounced in the playoffs’ second round.

Pistons

Pistons president of basketball operations Trajan Langdon spoke to reporters Tuesday about Detroit’s offseason additions, namely Duncan Robinson and Caris LeVert. Both were praised for their experience and how they complement the Pistons’ young core.

But Langdon also emphasized that one of Detroit’s biggest “pickups” this summer is actually someone who’s already on the roster: Jaden Ivey.

“I think the one thing that does get lost in all of this, to be honest with you, is (vey‘s) return,” Langdon said, via Pistons.com’s Keith Langlois. “A lot of people are saying, who are you filling with these guys that are exiting? I say, well, we have a pretty good free agent pickup in J.I.”

Langdon added that the development of Cade Cunningham, Jalen Duren, and Ivey remains the organization’s central focus.

“We have a chance to compete next year,” Langdon said. “The main thing for us is continuing to let these young guys develop. … If they get better, we’re going to be better.”

Pacers

Aaron Nesmith and Bennedict Mathurin are eligible for contract extensions this offseason, but Pacers president Kevin Pritchard isn’t in any rush to finalize new deals just yet.

“Can I just have like 24 hours please?” Pritchard joked, per The Indianapolis Star’s Dustin Dopirak. “We went straight from the Finals to the draft to free agency to Summer League… But I think that’s a little premature. We have all summer and up until next year to do those.”

Nesmith, who becomes extension-eligible in October, is considered a strong candidate for a new deal. Mathurin’s situation may be a bit more complex, as Indiana continues to evaluate his long-term fit alongside Tyrese Haliburton, Pascal Siakam, and the rest.