Lakers Trade Proposal Adds $23 Million ‘Tough SOB’ in 3-for-1 Swap…

large and bruised? That’s not Larry Nance of the Hawks, though. The Lakers are well aware of this. After all, Nance started his NBA career as a late first-round selection of Los Angeles in the 2015 NBA draft, the result of a trade with the Lakers. According to Basketball-Reference.com, he actually played small forward for the most of his career as a 6-foot-8 rookie, accounting for 14% of his total minutes.

However, as the game has become smaller, Nance is now content to play 99% of his minutes at center for the Pelicans in 2023–24 and 81% of them there in 2022–23. He excels in this role as a dynamic, versatile 5-man off the bench.

However, Nance was traded out of New Orleans in the summer trade for Dejounte Murray by Atlanta. He currently plays for the Hawks, who already have two centers on their roster: Onyeka Okungwu, who is ready to play a bigger role, and Clint Capela, who has been on the trade market for more than a year. In Atlanta, something will have to be given.

It had been assumed that Capela will be the one moving. Although not many teams have expressed interest in Capela, Nance is a different story.

The Atlanta big man attracting the greatest outside interest is the recently acquired Nance, according to seasoned NBA reporter Marc Stein. There are rumors that several clubs in need of a proven big man are pursuing Nance, who was acquired by the Hawks in the most recent Dejounte Murray trade.

Indeed, the Lakers are among the teams that most need to have their size validated this summer.

Lakers Trade Rumors: Seeking a Reputable Big Man

Nance is in the second year of a two-year, $21.6 million contract; the Lakers need to decide if they can get enough minutes out of him in the center to justify his inclusion. Although Nance is not very large, coach JJ Redick has acknowledged that the Lakers’ main goal for the remainder of this summer is to get a big man.

Here is what Redick said over the weekend to Sirius XM Radio, as reported by SilverScreenAndRoll.com:

“It’s imperative that you examine what I consider to be an exceptionally strong and well-rounded roster.” We tried, but we would really love to eventually recruit five more men—a huge, mean five men.

“At this moment, the Western Conference includes Denver,

With the addition of Zach Edey, Minnesota or OKC, or Memphis, will undoubtedly be competitive again. In some playoff matchups, you’ll need a lot of size.