The Atlanta Hawks are entering the offseason full of questions and uncertainties after disappointingly flaming out in the Play-In Tournament.
The franchise continues to be stuck in limbo, not knowing how to proceed with Trae Young on the roster. While there are intriguing key pieces in Jalen Johnson, Zaccharie Risacher, and Onyeka Okongwu on the roster, the Hawks can't be bad enough to tank and rebuild, but they are also not good enough to be contenders.
This makes the looming NBA offseason a fascinating one for Atlanta. Do the Hawks try to be as competitive as possible by aggressively pursuing a star to join Young? Or do they take a step back, keep their powder dry, and develop their core while adding more young talent?
Regardless of what they decide to do, a few of Atlanta's free agents' fates are sealed. One of those players is Larry Nance Jr.
Larry Nance Jr.'s Time in Atlanta May Be Coming to an End
Nance joined the Hawks in the 2024 offseason as part of the Dejounte Murray trade. The veteran big man played a part in Atlanta's rotation in the first half of the season until suffering a fracture in his right medial femoral condyle in February. He was eventually ruled out for the season, finishing the campaign with 24 appearances.
When he was available, Nance was a valuable depth piece. He shot a career-high 44.7% from three, and he continues to be a decent defensive option. His versatility and size allow him to defend multiple positions. His veteran competence makes him a good fit on the court and in the locker room for a lot of teams.
The Hawks, however, may not be one of those teams. At this stage of his career, Nance is a better fit on a contender. His defensive versatility and switchability would be better utilized on a team that doesn't have Trae Young.
The 32-year-old combo big enters free agency and would likely have multiple veteran's minimum offers to choose from coming off an injury. He would likely choose a team where he can contend and chase the title that has eluded him so far in his career.