According to Adrian Wojnarowski, forward Larry Nance Jr. and New Orleans Pelicans reached an agreement for a $21.6 million two-year extension.
Nance Jr. was about to enter the last year of a $48 million four-year contract. However, the extension will keep Nance in New Orleans until the 2024-25 season.
Nance Jr. stated that “I’m finally well,” said last week on Pelicans Media Days. “I played the final game of the season while still recovering from my surgery. The meniscus surgery that I had, I didn’t realize how long it had been bothering my knees. I lost a step, I lost some balance, and all of that was back in the summer. I feel good. I feel happier than I did the past few years.
After being traded from Portland Trail Blazers with Tony Snell and CJ McCollum, the 29-year old averaged 7.3 points and 4.3 rebounds and 0.9 assists for Pels. He was also traded for Nickeil Alexander Walker, Thomas Satoransky and Josh Hart.
The Pels have signed all of their core players, MacCollum and Brandon Ingram to long-term contracts.
“I’ve seen a community that will rock with this team in the seven months I have been here.” Nance Jr. said that if we show love and excitement for the city, the fans will give it back tenfold.”
Nance Jr. was a great player in the Pels’ small-ball lineup and is looking forward to the next season.
Nance Jr. laughed about Williamson saying, “I’ve got to put on some padding because I’m going to take a beating in training camp.” “No one would rather see him surpass me than I do.”
Williamson was injured and missed the entire last season. He has played in 85 games since being drafted in 2019 by the Pels.
Nance Jr. enters his eighth season in the league. His career averages are 8.1 points and 6.5 rebounds with 1.9 assists.