In the world of basketball, there’s a certain joy in discovering a player who feels like they were custom-built for your team. The Milwaukee Bucks had that in P.J. Tucker, with whom they managed to win it all in 2021 before losing him due to questionable front office decisions.
For these new-look Milwaukee Bucks, though, that piece might just be their latest signing in Pete Nance. According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, the Bucks are planning to sign the 6-foot-11 stretch big to a two-way contract, filling the roster spot created by waiving Liam Robbins.
It's obviously a low-risk move around the margins, but if you’re a Milwaukee Bucks fan, this move should have you encouraged.
Pete Nance is Milwaukee's latest experiment in a long line of young Bucks
This writer will be the first to admit that hopes were sky high with Robbins, and it's frustrating that things just didn't work out. He looked like he was a few years away from being a legitimate Brook Lopez replacement with his blend of shot-blocking and floor-spacing. He also looked to be much more mobile than the team's defensive anchor.
But sentimentality shouldn't get in the way of the fact that Nance, the younger brother of NBA veteran Larry Nance Jr., has been quietly putting together an impressive season in the G-League.
In 19 games that included 17 starting nods between the Cleveland Charge and Delaware Blue Coats, Nance put up norms of 14.7 points while shooting a respectable 37.8 percent from behind the 3-point line. Floor-spacing big men with size are already a precious commodity in this association, but it’s not just his shooting that makes him intriguing: it’s his versatility. Nance is a modern big who can also protect the rim and move his feet on defense.
In short, he’s the archetype of what the Milwaukee Bucks could use long-term.
Nance’s G-League numbers tell the story of a player who’s just built to compete in the modern NBA. In addition to his scoring and 3-point shooting, he’s shown the ability to rebound, block shots and make smart decisions with the ball. And while his NBA experience is limited—he’s appeared in just 15 games with the Cavaliers and Sixers—he’s shown flashes.
G-League numbers obviously are what they are, but the fact is the Bucks have been searching for a player like Nance for years. It was supposed to be Liam Robbins, but if things obviously didn't work out in practice, then it should be a good sign that the Milwaukee Bucks have decided to move on and continue their search.
According to The Athletic’s Eric Nehm, Nance’s two-way contract will cover two years, giving the Bucks plenty of time to evaluate his potential. And while he’s far from a finished product, his skill set is exactly what the Milwaukee Bucks need to modernize their frontcourt. In a league that increasingly values versatility and two-way play, Nance could be a hidden gem.
At worst, he’s a developmental project who can contribute in spot minutes. At best, he’s the kind of versatile big who can help the Milwaukee Bucks compete for championships for years to come.
With Brook Lopez turning 37 later this year and Bobby Portis entering the latter stages of his prime, the Bucks need to start thinking about the next generation of bigs who can complement Giannis Antetokounmpo. Nance, with his combination of size, shooting and defensive potential, could be that player.
Management has not stopped looking for ways to future-proof the team
Of course, Nance is incredibly far from a sure thing, and perhaps waiving Liam Robbins should be another reminder for fans to temper expectations. As exciting as his potential is, there's also a chance he won't pan out. He's already 25, after all, and he's going on his third year in the league soon. There's also the fact that Doc Rivers isn't keen on playing the other modern bigs rotting on the Bucks bench that Nance will have to reckon with.
As with most young bigs, he’ll need time to develop and adjust to the NBA game, and there’s really never any guarantee he’ll ever reach his full potential. But for a team this strapped for assets, signing a G-League player with clear upside is a no-brainer.
It at the very least shows the Bucks acknowledge the need to upgrade when and where they can, especially now that they've all but traded the farm for the likes of Jrue Holiday, Jae Crowder and Damian Lillard. It's a low-risk, high-reward move where Nance's development is just a happy bonus. If he can continue to develop his game and refine his skills, he could be something, even if we don't quite know what that something is just yet.
At the end of the day, the Milwaukee Bucks’ decision to sign Pete Nance to a two-way contract is a move that should excite fans. While he’s far from a finished product, his skill set is exactly what the Bucks need to modernize their frontcourt and build for the future.
With moves like this, the Bucks are at the very least showing they’re committed to leaving no stone unturned in search of the pieces they need to compete for championships—both now and in the future.
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