Hawks’ Larry Nance Jr Says He’s Excited To Play For ‘Mastermind’ Coach Quin Snyder

Hawks newcomer Larry Nance Jr. once told me he’s never had a problem with a coach, and you can add Atlanta’s Quin Snyder to that list.

Nance, of course, was acquired as part of the Dejounte Murray trade with the Pelicans.

Quin is a basketball mastermind,” Nance said, via Lauren Williams of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “I was a huge fan of his when he was at Utah, and obviously, these past few years in Atlanta. Now I’m excited to play for him, and we’re gonna get along really well.

“I consider myself a high-IQ basketball player, and he’s very high IQ. But the roster is exciting. Obviously, it’s a young roster and a team that’s looking to make some noise here going forward.”

The Hawks are looking to build off a season in which they finished 36-46 and failed to advance to the playoffs. Trae Young remains the face of the team, but they’re hoping for continued improved play from rising forward Jalen Johnson, along with several others. They also added forward Zaccharie Risacher with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft.

That said, Atlanta will be relying on battle-tested veterans such as Nance to help lead the way.

Nance averaged 5.7 points, 5.0 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.0 steals in 61 games with New Orleans last season, shooting 57.3% from the field and 41.5% on 3-pointers. He’ll make $11.3 million this season in the final year of his contract. 

Along with the Pelicans, he’s spent time with the Lakers, Trail Blazers and Cavaliers, the team with which his father starred and Nance Jr. is still revered.

Nance Jr. carries career averages of 7.7 points, 6.2 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.2 steals.