The Milwaukee Bucks will make another addition to their roster, as they plan to sign stretch-big Pete Nance to a two-way contract, per ESPN senior insider Shams Charania.
Bucks Address Frontcourt Depth, Sign Pete Nance
Nance is the brother of Atlanta Hawks veteran Larry Nance Jr. and the son of Larry Nance, a three-time All-Star who played for the Phoenix Suns and Cleveland Cavaliers. With his pedigree, it only makes sense that he’s also an NBA-caliber player. However, the 25-year-old’s pathway to success has been a bit more complicated than that of his brother and father.
The Milwaukee Bucks are planning to sign F/C Pete Nance on a two-way NBA deal, sources tell ESPN. Nance played seven games for the 76ers this season amid a strong season for the G League’s Cleveland Charge.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 28, 2025
After going undrafted in 2023, the Akron native attempted to latch on with his home state Cavs. Playing for Cleveland in the Las Vegas Summer League, he posted 7.2 points, 3.3 rebounds, 0.8 blocks, and 0.7 steals per game while shooting 42.9 percent from three. Somewhat surprisingly, he didn’t make the final cut for the regular season roster and ended up starting his professional career in the G League.
Don’t Call It A Comeback
In 42 games for the Cleveland Charge, Nance averaged 13.3 points, 8.1 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 1.4 blocks, and 0.9 steals per game. He also converted 35.8 percent of his three-pointers. Eventually, he was called back up the NBA, signing a two-way contract with the Cavaliers in February. He appeared in just eight games for the Cavs though, playing fewer than four minutes in all but one.
When his contract expired in the offseason, Nance joined Cleveland’s Summer League team again. This time, he posted 11.6 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks per game but only made 34.8 percent of his 3-point attempts. Failing to make the cut a second time, he joined the Charge for a second run. However, the Philadelphia 76ers briefly signed him to a two-way contract, leading to him playing for the Delaware Blue Coats.
Nance has long had an effective shooting stroke. Though exceptionally lean, he’s effective around the rim at both ends due to his length and activity. On top of that, he’s an intelligent playmaker. In any case, it’s with the Blue Coats that he was at his best. In those nine games, he averaged 13.1 points, 7.0 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.2 blocks, and 1.1 steals per game, all while shooting 43.6 percent from 3.
Now, he’ll get an opportunity to lend his skills to a team whose frontcourt needs some help. Bucks forward-center Bobby Portis, a perennial Sixth Man of the Year candidate, was recently suspended for 25 games. Veteran forward Kyle Kuzma, who they traded Khris Middleton for, has been underwhelming. Giannis Antetokounmpo, a two-time NBA MVP, is battling a calf injury.
Nance won’t be eligible for the playoffs while on a two-way contract but he has value for the remainder of the regular season.
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