It’s not just the Sacramento Kings who are interested in signing NBA free agent Nassir Little, as Spotrac’s Keith Smith reports that there are multiple contenders eyeing him. The forward has or will have workouts scheduled with the Boston Celtics, Golden State Warriors, and Miami Heat as well.
Free agent wing Nassir Little has/had workouts with the Boston Celtics, Golden State Warriors, Miami Heat and Sacramento Kings, a league source told @spotrac.
— Keith Smith (@KeithSmithNBA) September 16, 2024
Little most recently played for the Phoenix Suns, averaging career-lows of 3.4 points and 10.2 minutes per game.
Multiple Contenders Interested In Bouncy Forward Nassir Little
There was a time in which Little was considered one of the best players in the country. Coming out of Orlando Christian Prep in 2018, he was ranked sixth in the ESPN 100; a five-star recruit. 247 Sports even had Little ranked as the second-best high school prospect in the country, only behind RJ Barrett.
Perhaps if he would’ve accepted his offer from Duke, his luck would’ve been different.
Since 2018, the Blue Devils have had seven players drafted in the lottery. The UNC Tar Heels have had just two by comparison. This is in part due to perception, with Duke seen as one of college’s NBA factories. Both could be considered blue blood programs, but Duke has more prestige. However, the Blue Devils coaching staff also seemed to get a bit more out of their players.
In any case, Little was drafted late in the first round (25th overall) in 2019. In his lone season at UNC, he averaged 9.8 points, 4.6 rebounds, 0.5 blocks, and 0.5 steals in 18.2 minutes per game. Playing alongside high school mixtape legend Seventh Woods, as well as future NBA players in Cameron Johnson and Coby White, the Tar Heels went 29-7.
More bouncy than skilled, Little was at his best attacking the rim with a head of steam. By the end of his freshman season, he had converted 47.8 percent of his field goal attempts, but just 26.9 percent of his 3-pointers and 77.0 percent of his free-throws.
Not Much Development
The problem for Little is that he hasn’t added much to his game since then. He’s an above-average athlete, but so are many players he faces in the NBA. The physical advantages he had in high school and college become more muted as his level of competition raises.
However, there are glimmers of hope for the 24-year-old. In 2021-22, he averaged a career-high 9.8 points per game while with the Portland Trail Blazers. The next season, he made a career-high 36.7 percent of his 3s.
In fact, the key to Little taking the next step is becoming a consistent 3-point threat. This isn’t just to be an effective off-ball player, playing the popular stretch-four role. It’s because defenders will have to play him more tightly or close out harder, which should make it easier for him to separate and get to the rim.
Bread And Butter
If signing with the Celtics, Warriors, Heat, or Kings, Little could have the same general role with each of them. He’ll be expected to be a transition threat, slasher, lob-catcher, and crash the glass. If with Sacramento, he should excel beside Domantas Sabonis, a master at dribble handoffs (DHOs).
Whatever happens with his offense, it’ll be his defense that helps him get minutes regardless. His size, agility, footwork, anticipation, and use of his hands arguably make him elite at this end. Each of the teams he’s been linked to could use his defense, though Boston needs the least help in that department.
