Pacers GM Chad Buchanan: Larry Nance Jr. ‘really good fit with our locker room’

The Pacers made a somewhat curious frontcourt swap this offseason, waiving Micah Potter and replacing him with former Cavaliers big man Larry Nance Jr.

On paper, at least, Potter had the better season. But Indiana general manager Chad Buchanan said the decision went well beyond last year’s numbers.

Speaking on the Setting The Pace podcast, Buchanan said the Pacers viewed Nance as their “best option that was gettable” among the available frontcourt free agents, pointing specifically to his versatility, experience and basketball IQ.

“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, via Dustin Dopirak of the Indianapolis Star.

Nance, 33, spent last season with the Cavaliers, averaging 3.7 points and 2.7 rebounds in 35 appearances while dealing with injuries. He agreed to a one-year deal with Indiana earlier this month.

Potter, meanwhile, averaged 9.7 points and 5.0 rebounds in 47 games for the Pacers, shooting 51.5 percent from the field and an impressive 42.3 percent on 3-pointers.

He was claimed off waivers by the Trail Blazers after Indiana released him. So clearly, this wasn’t a case of the Pacers deciding Potter couldn’t play. They simply believed Nance offered some things they needed more.

It didn’t hurt that Nance wanted Indiana, either.

“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,” Buchanan said. “I think he would be the first to admit that last year didn’t go the way he hoped it would.”

That doesn’t mean Nance is walking into a guaranteed role. Buchanan said the backup center job behind Ivica Zubac will be an open competition involving Nance, Jay Huff and, depending on the matchup, Obi Toppin.

“He’s gotta come in and earn it,” Buchanan said of Nance. “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 suggested the decision could ultimately change from night to night. Nance offers defensive versatility, while Huff brings shooting and rim protection. Toppin gives Indiana the ability to go smaller.

“It’s probably going to be night-to-night who plays there,” Buchanan said, “but heading into camp it’s an open competition at this point.”