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Speaking on the Setting The Pace podcast, Indiana Pacers general manager Chad Buchanan said the backup center minutes behind Ivica Zubac have not been promised to anyone heading into training camp.
"(Nance has) gotta come in and earn it. Jay Huff has gotta earn those backup minutes as well. You have Obi as an option to come in and play some backup five," Buchanan said. "There's different looks that our coaches could utilize at the backup center spots. There's might be some nights where our coaches will value the defensive versatility in Larry as opposed to the shooting and rim protection that Jay provides. It's probably going to be night-to-night who plays there, but heading into camp it's an open competition at this point."
Indiana waived Micah Potter on July 9 to clear the roster spot for Larry Nance Jr. Nance signed for one year at the veteran's minimum, a deal worth roughly $3.9 million, of which the Pacers carry about $2.45 million under the veteran minimum exception.
Potter had the better statistical season of the two. He averaged 9.7 points and 5.0 rebounds in 19.3 minutes per game last season, shooting 51.5% from the field, 42.3% from 3-point range, and 84.2% from the free throw line. Nance appeared in 35 games for the Cleveland Cavaliers and averaged 3.7 points and 2.7 rebounds in 12.8 minutes while dealing with injuries.
Buchanan called Nance the team's best option that was gettable among this summer's frontcourt free agents.
"I think our coaches felt really comfortable with his basketball IQ, his experience, and just his personality felt like a really good fit with our locker room as well," Buchanan said. "Larry really had targeted us, wanted to be here with the Pacers and I think he's very motivated to have a bounce-back season. I think he would be the first to admit that last year didn't go the way he hoped it would. He's very motivated to come in and fit in and play well for us this season."
Nance turned 33 in January and enters his 12th NBA season. Drafted 27th overall by the Lakers in 2015 from Wyoming, he has played for Cleveland, Portland, New Orleans, and Atlanta before rejoining the Cavaliers last summer. In 2024-25 with the Hawks, he played 32 games, averaging 8.5 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 1.6 assists before a nondisplaced fracture in his right knee in early February ended his season.
Zubac joined the Indiana Pacers from the Los Angeles Clippers at February's trade deadline with Kobe Brown. Indiana also sent Bennedict Mathurin, Isaiah Jackson, two first-round picks, and a second-round pick to the Clippers. Before the trade, Zubac averaged 14.4 points, 11.0 rebounds, and 2.2 assists in 43 games. He debuted against Phoenix after a left ankle sprain. Contracted through 2027-28, he offers Tyrese Haliburton a new pick-and-roll partner.
Huff came over from the Memphis Grizzlies last offseason for a second-round pick and a second-round pick swap, in the same summer Myles Turner signed with Milwaukee. Pacers president of basketball operations Kevin Pritchard said earlier this offseason that Huff and Potter would compete for the backup center job.
Obi Toppin is the third name Buchanan raised. Pacers coach Rick Carlisle used him at the five in smaller lineups last season.
Indiana signed Kelly Oubre Jr. for two years and about $16.5 million, capping the team at the first apron. After waiving Potter and before signing Nance, Indiana was $4.7 million below the first apron with 13 players. The Nance signing reduced that to about $2.24 million with 14 contracts.
Indiana finished 19-63 last season. Buchanan has been the Pacers' general manager since 2017.
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"(Nance has) gotta come in and earn it. Jay Huff has gotta earn those backup minutes as well. You have Obi as an option to come in and play some backup five," Buchanan said. "There's different looks that our coaches could utilize at the backup center spots. There's might be some nights where our coaches will value the defensive versatility in Larry as opposed to the shooting and rim protection that Jay provides. It's probably going to be night-to-night who plays there, but heading into camp it's an open competition at this point."
Indiana waived Micah Potter on July 9 to clear the roster spot for Larry Nance Jr. Nance signed for one year at the veteran's minimum, a deal worth roughly $3.9 million, of which the Pacers carry about $2.45 million under the veteran minimum exception.
Potter had the better statistical season of the two. He averaged 9.7 points and 5.0 rebounds in 19.3 minutes per game last season, shooting 51.5% from the field, 42.3% from 3-point range, and 84.2% from the free throw line. Nance appeared in 35 games for the Cleveland Cavaliers and averaged 3.7 points and 2.7 rebounds in 12.8 minutes while dealing with injuries.
Buchanan called Nance the team's best option that was gettable among this summer's frontcourt free agents.
"I think our coaches felt really comfortable with his basketball IQ, his experience, and just his personality felt like a really good fit with our locker room as well," Buchanan said. "Larry really had targeted us, wanted to be here with the Pacers and I think he's very motivated to have a bounce-back season. I think he would be the first to admit that last year didn't go the way he hoped it would. He's very motivated to come in and fit in and play well for us this season."
Nance turned 33 in January and enters his 12th NBA season. Drafted 27th overall by the Lakers in 2015 from Wyoming, he has played for Cleveland, Portland, New Orleans, and Atlanta before rejoining the Cavaliers last summer. In 2024-25 with the Hawks, he played 32 games, averaging 8.5 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 1.6 assists before a nondisplaced fracture in his right knee in early February ended his season.
Zubac joined the Indiana Pacers from the Los Angeles Clippers at February's trade deadline with Kobe Brown. Indiana also sent Bennedict Mathurin, Isaiah Jackson, two first-round picks, and a second-round pick to the Clippers. Before the trade, Zubac averaged 14.4 points, 11.0 rebounds, and 2.2 assists in 43 games. He debuted against Phoenix after a left ankle sprain. Contracted through 2027-28, he offers Tyrese Haliburton a new pick-and-roll partner.
Huff came over from the Memphis Grizzlies last offseason for a second-round pick and a second-round pick swap, in the same summer Myles Turner signed with Milwaukee. Pacers president of basketball operations Kevin Pritchard said earlier this offseason that Huff and Potter would compete for the backup center job.
Obi Toppin is the third name Buchanan raised. Pacers coach Rick Carlisle used him at the five in smaller lineups last season.
Indiana signed Kelly Oubre Jr. for two years and about $16.5 million, capping the team at the first apron. After waiving Potter and before signing Nance, Indiana was $4.7 million below the first apron with 13 players. The Nance signing reduced that to about $2.24 million with 14 contracts.
Indiana finished 19-63 last season. Buchanan has been the Pacers' general manager since 2017.
Continue reading...
