The Portland Trail Blazers are desperately trying to find success while Dame Lillard is still playing at a high level. The franchise took a rebuilding season last year as their superstar missed the bulk of the season. The franchise has made a series of win-now moves and still continue to be looking to improve the roster.
While the bigger moves may hold the bulk of the spotlight, the Trail Blazers have some real questions to answer with their current roster. One guy who is now eligible for a contract extension is Nassir Little. The UNC product was drafted by the Trail Blazers with the 25th overall pick in the 2019 draft. Through three seasons he has played in just 138 games although he has had some really positive flashes. His injury history would make long-term security appealing and it is important to note he took a massive step forward last season prior to his season-ending labral tear last year. The 22-year-old has already been spotted in the Gym with Lillard and has a strong case for why he could be the primary fifth starter this season.
While the injury history and uncertainty make it a risk, the Trail Blazers would be wise to lock up Nassir Little now.
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2 reasons Blazers must give Nassir Little a contract extension
Effort/Energy
All that is seemingly talked about when discussing a contending team is the star-power and top-level talent. It takes much more than just this to win and you need guys willing to do the grunt work for the team. For all that Nassir Little lacks in polish in his game, he makes up for with his high-level energy and effort. The 6'6″ forward plays with a high motor and elevates the level of his teammates around him. Having a guy that is willing to do the little things (pun intended) that help the team win is important. The UNC standout is a versatile defender, competes hard, and wears his emotions on his sleeve.
Yesterday’s loss was tough, but this sequence from Nassir Little stuck with me.
He’s still a work in progress, but his energy is undeniable. Contests three potential shots in five seconds, then runs the floor and gets rewarded — crafty finish.
If he ever gets that shot down … pic.twitter.com/eEzzk4YV8B
— Marlow Ferguson Jr. (@meloferg) January 26, 2021
When looking at the Trail Blazers current roster, there is a major need for the things Little does. He should serve as a perfect bridge between the Dame Lillard and Anfernee Simons backcourt and the Jerami Grant and Jusuf Nurkic frontcourt. The fact he has already been working out with Lillard is an awesome sign of the superstar's opinion of him as well. The effort level and energy he will bring to this bunch is necessary. Locking him up now could also potentially save the organization money down the line depending on what his current price point is.
Life After Lillard
As much as Trail Blazers fans do not want to admit it, Dame Lillard will not be around forever. While going all-in to win with him now is the right move, they also must consider the future. Nassir Little is still just 22-years-old and still has plenty of development left to do. He had his best season last year where he averaged 9.8 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 1.3 assists in his 25.9 minutes per game. Little also impressed greatly in the 12 games prior to his shoulder injury where he averaged 13.8 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 1.8 assists while shooting 40.3% on three-pointers.
While it is unclear how high his ceiling is, the Trail Blazers would be wise to attempt to find out. The injury concerns are legitimate but the flashes he has shown when healthy are worth the risk. Little was the second-ranked high school prospect in his class and comes with a high pedigree. He played just 18.2 minutes per game in college and came off the bench for UNC. He also has yet to play more than 48 games seasons in his three years in the NBA.
The bottom line is that Nassir Little its still very unproven. It is unlikely he will demand a hefty price tag due to these concerns. The fact a long-term deal would be beneficial to Little is a benefit to the Trail Blazers. Inking him to a team-friendly long-term deal would set Portland up well for the future. Getting him on the right development plan and making sure to treat his body right would help him flourish on the court.
No player is 100% without risk when signing them to a contract. Nassir Little is no different but this should not cause the Blazers to be gun-shy in their attempt. The versatile forward is a perfect middle ground of helping the team contend now while building for the future. Allowing him to hit the open market and receive other free agent offers, although he will be restricted, could end up a major mistake on the Trail Blazers part.
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