Larry Nance Jr. to return for Cavs

The Cavaliers have found their backup big man — and he's someone who is coming back for his second go-round with the team. The Cavs agreed Tuesday on a one-year deal for the veteran's minimum with forward/center Larry Nance Jr. The 6-foot-8, 245-pounder played four seasons with Cleveland from 2017-21 before being traded to the Portland Trail Blazers. The son of former Cavs great Larry Nance Sr. has played 10 seasons in the NBA after being drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers in 2015. The 32-year-old has also played for the New Orleans Pelicans and the Atlanta Hawks. The deal won't be official until July 6, and it might signal the end of veteran Tristan Thompson's days in Cleveland. Nance's younger brother Pete also played one season for the Cavs, in 2024-25, and is on a two-way contract with the Milwaukee Bucks. Nance Jr. has averaged 7.7 points, 6.1 rebounds and 1.9 assists while shooting .539 from the field and .353 from the 3-point line in his career. He played collegiately at Wyoming and was a prep standout at Revere High School. Cavs backup point guard Ty Jerome agreed to a three-year, $28 million deal with the Memphis Grizzlies on Monday. Jerome revived his career in Cleveland last season when he was in a finalist for Sixth Man of the Year after averaging 12.5 points and 3.4 assists while shooting .439 from the 3-point line. The Cavs made a preemptive strike last week when they traded swingman Isaac Okoro to the Chicago Bulls for point guard Lonzo Ball. Presumably, Ball will serve as the backup point guard, a role ably filled by Jerome last year. The Cavs made the somewhat surprising decision to sign Sam Merrill over Jerome, as they agreed to a four-year, $38 million contract with the long-range shooter on Saturday. Merrill will make slightly more than Jerome next season. As expected, the free agent process is going agonizingly slow for the Cavs. They are projected to have around $240 million in salaries for 2025-26, well over the second apron of the NBA's salary cap. That makes them mostly a spectator in free agency. The Cavs trimmed some fat off the roster when they didn't make qualifying offers to restricted free agents Emoni Bates and Chuma Okeke. Both players became unrestricted free agents. They did make a qualifying offer to Luke Travers. Cleveland also signed 2025 second-round pick Tyrese Proctor, chosen No. 49 overall, to a four-year, $8.69 million contract, according to HoopsHype. The third year is partially guaranteed and the fourth year is a team option. The 6-foot-4, 183-pound combo guard appeared in 38 games (all starts) as a junior for Duke last season and averaged 12.4 points, 3.0 rebounds and 2.3 assists. Finally, second-year man Jaylon Tyson is switching to No. 20 with the Cavs. It became available when Cleveland traded Georges Niang last year. Tyson wore that number at Texas Tech and California. Bob Finnan can be reached at rfinnan30@gmail.com. Follow him @BobCavsinsider on X.