Nassir Little: The Roller Coaster Journey of an NBA Player
Well, folks, gather ’round, because it’s time for a little chat about Nassir Little—and no, it’s not just because he has a name that sounds like a broken IKEA furniture item! The Phoenix Suns take place in Charlotte, the Los Angeles Lakers hardly return to balance”>Miami Heat has waved goodbye to the former Phoenix Suns small/power forward after a scorching— *checks notes*—two games in the preseason. That’s right, two. I’ve seen longer queues at the bakery! Here’s what went down.
In a statement released on X (formerly Twitter, because let’s be honest, Twitter was so last week), the Heat confirmed that they had waived Little, along with Zyon Pullin, Isaiah Stevens, and Warren Washington. It’s like being voted off the island, but without the tropical background or a chance to make a cocktail! Little was fresh off a stint in Phoenix where he averaged the demure numbers of 3.4 points and 1.4 rebounds per game. If points were equal to fanfare, we’d be looking at a quiet lunch conversation rather than a Super Bowl halftime show!
Now, let’s take a stroll down memory lane, shall we? Little was originally drafted by the Portland Trail Blazers with the modestly decent No. 25 pick in the 2019 NBA Draft after being a highly touted high school player and committing to North Carolina. That’s like going from a rockstar to a garage band overnight! During his four seasons in Portland, he managed to average 6.0 points and 1.7 rebounds per game over 192 games (34 starts). A real showcase for your skills, huh?
But it’s not all sunshine and slam dunks. Little’s journey has seen him battling through injuries, including a fractured orbital and a concussion. Not great signs for a professional athlete, I must say! On a happier note, he became a first-time father to a lovely little girl named Brielle. Remember, while one hand changes diapers, the other might be hoping for a 10-day contract! Priorities, right?
So, after being waived by the Suns, Little hit the free agency floor harder than a toddler at a candy store. He worked out with teams like the Heat, Boston Celtics, Golden State Warriors, and Sacramento Kings. It’s like speed-dating but for basketball contracts—everyone’s looking for a match, but he might’ve left them all swiping left.
During the latest roster cuts, the former Phoenix Suns small/power forward Nassir Little he was waived by the Miami Heat after playing just two games in the preseason. “The Miami HEAT have waived Nassir Little, Zyon Pullin, Isaiah Stevens and Warren Washington,” the Heat said on X. Little was released by the Suns last offseason and signed with the Heat on Sept. 24. Coming off the bench, last year he played 45 games (two as a starter) with the Suns, averaging 3.4 points and 1.4 rebounds per game. Little, Keon Johnson, Grayson Allen and Jusuf Nurkić were acquired from Phoenix in a three-team trade that involved the Portland Trail Blazers receiving Deandre Ayton and the Milwaukee Bucks getting Damian Lillard.
While a Sun, he suffered a fractured orbital and concussion, becoming a first-time father with his daughter Brielle and other things that led to him missing a lot of games. Little was originally a highly touted high school phenom who ended up committing to North Carolina. The Trail Blazers then drafted him with the No. 1 pick. 25 in the 2019 NBA Draft and was in Portland for four seasons (2019-23). For Portland, he averaged 6.0 points and 1.7 rebounds per game in 192 games (34 starts). After being let go by Phoenix, the 24-year-old reportedly worked out with the Heat, Boston Celtics, Golden State Warriors and Sacramento Kings, but didn’t find a franchise willing to give him a contract.
