​Larry Nance Jr. is departing the Cleveland Cavaliers as a free agent to sign with the Indiana Pacers. A Revere High School alumnus and the oldest son of Cavaliers legend Larry Nance Sr., the 33-year-old forward agreed to a one-year contract worth $4 million with Indiana, according to ESPN’s report on Wednesday, July 8. Nance spent the current season with the Cavaliers, marking his second stint with his hometown NBA franchise, but he did not crack the 2026 playoff rotation. In other words, his exit from Cleveland comes as little surprise given last season’s context.
Nance returned to the Cavaliers on a one-year deal as a free agent last summer, and this time he is moving on to a new chapter in Indiana. During the 2025-26 regular season, Nance appeared in 35 games for Cleveland, averaging 3.7 points on 41.9 percent shooting from the field (33.3 percent from three), 2.7 rebounds, one assist, and about 12.8 minutes per game. He managed to appear in two of the Cavaliers’ 18 playoff games, averaging 2.3 minutes without scoring a point.
Over his 11-year NBA career, Nance has become a veteran presence. He was drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers in the first round (No. 27 overall) out of Wyoming in 2015 and has since played for five teams: the Lakers, Cavaliers, Portland Trail Blazers, New Orleans Pelicans, and Atlanta Hawks. His career regular-season averages stand at 7.5 points on 53.5 percent shooting (including 35.2 percent from three), 5.9 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.1 steals, and 22.4 minutes per game. The Pacers will now add a sixth NBA stop to his resume, giving him a familiar but new opportunity in a different market.
Cavaliers listed Nance at 6 feet 7 inches tall and 245 pounds. As a longtime rotational piece, his versatility allowed him to contribute as a forward who could stretch the floor at times while also providing defense and rebounding on the other end.
Nance’s decision to join Indiana reflects a broader market dynamic for players with his kind of profile—seasoned veterans who can contribute as role players, bring leadership, and add depth to a playoff hopeful roster. With Indiana’s roster construction, Nance will look to fit into their frontcourt rotations, bring a steady presence, and provide experience for younger players while still offering shooting range and a willingness to hustle on both ends of the floor.
Nate Ulrich, a sports columnist for the Akron Beacon Journal and a features writer, covers this development as part of his broader reporting on Cleveland and Northeast Ohio sports. He can be reached at nulrich@thebeaconjournal.com or followed on Twitter @ByNateUlrich. This report originally appeared in the Akron Beacon Journal under a headline highlighting Akron native Larry Nance Jr.’s one-year deal with the Indiana Pacers as part of its SEO-focused coverage.