NEW ORLEANS (AP) — The New Orleans Pelicans and forward Larry Nance Jr. have agreed to a two-year extension worth $21.6 million, his agent, Mark Bartelstein, said Saturday.
“Larry fell in love with New Orleans and the entire Pelicans organization – front office, coaches, players,” Bartelstein said. “He’s really, really excited about what’s in store for this team and he wanted to be a part of it. So it was important for him to try to make a deal.
Bartelstein said the deal, first reported by ESPN, continues through the 2024-25 season. That puts Nance in a position to play at a club that also has power forward Zion Williamson, winger Brandon Ingram and guard CJ McCollum under contract for at least the next three seasons.
“The organization is outstanding,” Nance said after Saturday’s practice as he stood next to Williamson and Ingram. “I took the opportunity to extend my stay and I’m very lucky to play alongside these two.
“You don’t grow up wanting to play regular season games. It’s the playoffs. And that’s what it’s all about,” Nance added. “This team has a chance to do that in the long run.”
Nance, 29, who played at the University of Wyoming, was a late first-round draft pick by the Los Angeles Lakers in 2015. He has also played for Cleveland and Portland, and has career averages of 8.1 points and 6.5 rebounds. .
The Pelicans made the playoffs last season without Williamson, the 2019 top draft pick and 2021 All-Star who had to sit out his entire third season with a foot injury.
Now back in full-speed training, Williamson praised the continuity the Pelicans are working to create with several starters or top players under contract for the next few seasons.
“It’s great to see that because I know, especially for me, my first three years…it was always a different cast,” Williamson said. “To see vets wanting to stay and trying to build something special means a lot.”
Pelicans second-year coach Willie Green said the club wanted to keep Nance “in the fold for many years to come”.
“I’m happy for Larry,” Green said. “It was great to see (the deal) come to fruition.”
NEW ORLEANS (AP) — The New Orleans Pelicans and forward Larry Nance Jr. have agreed to a two-year extension worth $21.6 million, his agent, Mark Bartelstein, said Saturday.
“Larry fell in love with New Orleans and the entire Pelicans organization – front office, coaches, players,” Bartelstein said. “He’s really, really excited about what’s in store for this team and he wanted to be a part of it. So it was important for him to try to make a deal.
Bartelstein said the deal, first reported by ESPN, continues through the 2024-25 season. That puts Nance in a position to play at a club that also has power forward Zion Williamson, winger Brandon Ingram and guard CJ McCollum under contract for at least the next three seasons.
“The organization is outstanding,” Nance said after Saturday’s practice as he stood next to Williamson and Ingram. “I took the opportunity to extend my stay and I’m very lucky to play alongside these two.
“You don’t grow up wanting to play regular season games. It’s the playoffs. And that’s what it’s all about,” Nance added. “This team has a chance to do that in the long run.”
Nance, 29, who played at the University of Wyoming, was a late first-round draft pick by the Los Angeles Lakers in 2015. He has also played for Cleveland and Portland, and has career averages of 8.1 points and 6.5 rebounds. .
The Pelicans made the playoffs last season without Williamson, the 2019 top draft pick and 2021 All-Star who had to sit out his entire third season with a foot injury.
Now back in full-speed training, Williamson praised the continuity the Pelicans are working to create with several starters or top players under contract for the next few seasons.
“It’s great to see that because I know, especially for me, my first three years…it was always a different cast,” Williamson said. “To see vets wanting to stay and trying to build something special means a lot.”
Pelicans second-year coach Willie Green said the club wanted to keep Nance “in the fold for many years to come”.
“I’m happy for Larry,” Green said. “It was great to see (the deal) come to fruition.”