Cavaliers big men Tristan Thompson (left) and Larry Nance Jr. (John Kuntz, cleveland.com)

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Cavaliers still have a hometown kid on their team, and they hope to keep him awhile.

His name is Larry Nance Jr. He has the bloodline, the childhood, and the game that could make a long-term contract extension a part of his near future.

In the run-up to the Cavs' 2018-19 training camp that starts with media day on Sept. 24, cleveland.com is taking a look at each roster player and what might be expected this season if this team is to survive LeBron James' departure and make a legitimate run at a playoff spot.

James grew up in Akron, of course. As the son of Cavs great Larry Nance (whose number hangs in the rafters), Nance Jr. was raised in the suburbs between Cleveland and Akron and graduated from Revere High School.

Both he and the Cavs are considering an extension on his current deal that would keep him in Cleveland beyond this season.

The Cavs think he earned it last season.

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Season rewind

Nance averaged 8.7 points, 6.8 rebounds, and a .581 shooting percentage for the Lakers and Cavs. Those were career highs anyway, but his points and rebounds were even better after heading to Cleveland Feb. 8 (8.9 points, 7.0 boards).

The postseason was nothing if not a learning experience for Nance, who averaged just 4.8 points and 4.5 rebounds as he slipped in and out of coach Tyronn Lue's rotation. The Finals run (not to mention the playoffs in general) were a first for Nance.

Also, not that this matters from a development standpoint, but Nance was runner-up in the slam dunk contest and should've won it.

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Great expectations

The running, jumping, shot-blocking, mess-cleaning, challenge-taking Nance was who the Cavs saw when they got their hands on him in February. To the extent his progress was slowed last spring, the culprits were a balky hamstring in March and adjustment period to get used to the speed of the playoffs.

Nance was admirable in the Eastern Conference semifinals, helping the Cavs guard Al Horford. The player he was in that series, and who he was before the playoffs began (those 2.4 offensive rebounds per game), is who they need him to be this season. We'll see if Lue starts him or Tristan Thompson at center.

Nance doesn't turn 26 until New Year's Day.

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Nance was a productive pest vs. the Celtics in the Eastern Finals last spring. (John Kuntz, cleveland.com)

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Contract status

Nance has one year and $2.3 million left on his rookie contract. But he's eligible to sign an extension now, and if he doesn't he would likely be a restricted free agent next summer, when the Cavs would maintain the right to match any offer.

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How Cleveland got him

The Cavs traded Isaiah Thomas, Channing Frye (who re-signed here over the summer) and their own first-round pick to the Lakers for Nance and Jordan Clarkson.

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Hailey Nance's Instagram

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Big summer news

Nance married longtime girlfriend Hailey Pince in Hawaii in July. The two met as athletes at the University of Wyoming.

What's that you say? You thought they were married at an Akron courthouse in June?

Yes, they did obtain their marriage license prior to heading to paradise for the ceremony and festivities.

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