The Cavaliers add Larry Nance Jr. as a versatile frontcourt piece off the bench, designed to relieve Mobley and Allen and keep the unit functional when the starters rest. His floor-spreading shooting, hustle deflection, and stable decision-making help Cleveland maintain spacing and energy without a burst star power. Health is a concern, so expect a steady, understated impact rather than game-changing runs.

Lakers No. 9 threads a long, dynamic lineage. Jim Chones arrived in 1979 to shore up the frontcourt and help LA capture the 1980 title, posting 10.7 points and 7.4 rebounds in two seasons. A 1981 swap sent Chones to Washington Bullets as compensation when Mitch Kupchak signed with LA, reshaping the No. 9 legacy. Chones finished in Washington and later broadcast Cavaliers games, keeping the thread alive from Detroit Gems to Showtime.

From the Gems’ NBL roots to Minneapolis and onward, the No. 9 arc illustrates how one digit can echo through eras: frontcourt fits, championship runs, and rosters reshaped by trades and signings that ripple through fantasy value across generations.