Larry Nance Jr. hasn’t enjoyed much stability in his seven-year NBA career, but he hopes to find it with the Pelicans, writes Christian Clark of NOLA.com. Nance was a perfect fit in New Orleans after being acquired from the Trail Blazers in February, and with one year left on his contract, he’s hoping for an extension.
“Willie (Green) is my eighth head coach,” Nance said. “I have had seven different general managers. I am so tired of it. This organization has been incredible since I got here. The people are great. The fan base is incredible. I would love to make this a permanent stay. But again, that’s not up to me.”
The first order of business for Nance after the trade was arthroscopic surgery to fix his right knee, which kept him sidelined until late March. Clark notes that Nance was much more explosive when he resumed playing.
“The little piece of meniscus in my knee was bothering me for the past few years,” Nance said. “I didn’t even realize it. Getting that cleaned up and cleaned out and getting to play that last stretch of games was fully healthy was great. I still feel great. My body is in a great place right now.”
There’s more from New Orleans:
- The Pelicans have 14 players under contract for next season, but there are some important decisions to make this offseason, Clark adds. CJ McCollum, who came to New Orleans in the same deal as Nance, will also be eligible for an extension, and the team has to figure out whether to make a maximum extension offer to Zion Williamson. Executive vice president of basketball operations David Griffin said those situations will be addressed and called it “a real blessing” that all three players want to remain with the Pelicans.
- McCollum attracted headlines at the All-Star break when he said that he hadn’t been able to speak with Williamson, who was working out away from the team. On Friday, Williamson offered an explanation, tweets Andrew Lopez of ESPN. “Honestly, I was focused on rehabbing around that time,” he said. “I texted CJ shortly after to apologize about that. Like I said, I was mentally not in a good space. Mr. McCollum, he was cool about it.”
- Williamson’s comments at Friday’s media session that he still wants a future in New Orleans were exactly what the organization needed to hear, contends Rod Walker of NOLA.com, as Williamson did his best to silence persistent speculation that he would rather be in a bigger market. “I can’t control rumors and how people feel about certain things,” Williamson said. “I said this in my interview with (Pelicans TV announcer) Antonio (Daniels). Anybody who knows me, knows I want to be here. If they feel otherwise, I can’t help that. But if you know me, you know I want to be here.”
You gotta really like this kid, in these days with no respect from kids, Zion calling CJ… Mr McCollum it says all that need to be said about his character!
Zion is legend!
Called him CJ and Mr. McCollum…
Called Antonio Daniels (who is older – and has a ring w SA) “Antonio”, not Mr. Daniels.
Lookin forward to Zion being back on the court next season.
Pels can be pretty good!
If NO does offer Zion the max they surely will
Have games played tied to it. If not they are fools. I am sure Zion did add some fat during the process but he looked great on the bench the other night. Zion, Ingram and CJ is as good of three you can have. JV is good as well. Graham has been a bust! But they nailed their rookies this year.
The Pelicans have a good thing going without Zion, they should trade him and Graham to MEM for Bane and Jackson, or to SAS for D. Murray, Johnson, and Collins, even NYK for Toppin,Kemba, RJB and 3frp
CJ played his heart out for Pelicans. That doesnt mean he gets an extension. He still has 2 yrs left, and there’s no urgency to extend him. In fact, Pelicans can wait til the nd of the contract to re-sign him. As for Zion, KEEP him but dont extend him yet. It’s about TOUGH LOVE for Zion. He has to earn it. This is how they can help him reach his potential and become great.
Zion is the most dominant big man at 6’6″ in NBA history. He is unstoppable in the paint. With Willie Green’s BB IQ & schemes, the Pels will be the team to beat for years to come. If not for the no-call flagrant foul on Chris Paul against Alvarado, #1 Phoenix may be sitting at home. If Griffin & Green trade Zion, they would have the best shooting team in the NBA. GO PELS!!
If he can’t stay under 255 LBs. Then he’ll be gone sooner than you think. If I had a chance to be one of best forwards ever in NBA. I eat only sushi and vegetables. Pels better know what they are doing. Zion will not be first great athlete to eat his way out of league.