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Cavaliers trading Larry Nance Jr. to Trail Blazers, getting Bulls RFA Lauri Markkanen on four-year, $67M contract

Larry Nance Jr. and Lauri Markkanen in Cleveland Cavaliers v Chicago Bulls

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - MARCH 10: Larry Nance Jr. #22 of the Cleveland Cavaliers moves against Lauri Markkanen #24 of the Chicago Bulls at the United Center on March 10, 2020 in Chicago, Illinois. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

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Damian Lillard is showing greater urgency in competing for a championship.

The Trail Blazers are responding.

Portland is acquiring Larry Nance Jr. from the Cavaliers, who are getting Lauri Markkanen in a sign-and-trade with the Bulls. Derrick Jones Jr. will go from the Trail Blazers to Chicago in the three-team deal.

Shams Charania of The Athletic:

Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN:

At 6-foot-7, Nance has the size and strength to defend the bigger wings Portland would inevitably face in a deeper playoff run. Acquired as a defensive upgrade last offseason, Robert Covington is a far better team than on-ball defender.

The other notable forward the Trail Blazers acquired last year, Jones didn’t work out in Portland. Sending a protected first-round pick and second-rounder to upgrade to Nance is a wise use of resources by the win-now Trail Blazers.

Nance is under contract for a reasonable $10,690,909 and $9,672,727 the next two seasons. That cost control is important, as Portland is locked into expensive contracts for Lillard, C.J. McCollum and Norman Powell.

An improved 3-point shooter and good screener, Nance should fit well with that perimeter firepower. Nance can also play center in small-ball lineups, a versatile threat behind Jusuf Nurkic.

Cleveland gets younger going from Nance (28) to Markkanen (24). That makes sense as the Cavs build around Darius Garland (21), Evan Mobley (20), Jarrett Allen (23), Isaac Okoro (20) and maybe Collin Sexton (22). Markkanen offers potential as a 7-footer who hits 3-pointers.

But $67 million is A LOT to pay the inconsistent Markkanen. Surrendering positive-value Nance adds to the sting. Markkanen also faces a complicated fit with bigs Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen.

Chicago gets nice return for a free agent who didn’t want to be there. The picks replenish the Bulls, who sent out first-rounders to get Nikola Vucevic and DeMar DeRozan. Jones, 24, still has untapped upside with his incredible athleticism. His expiring contract also gives Chicago an out in a year.