Free agent forward Nassir Little has signed a one-year deal with the Miami Heat, Bleacher Report NBA insider Chris Haynes first reported Monday evening.
Free agent wing Nassir Little has reached an agreement on a one-year deal with the Miami Heat, league source tells me. pic.twitter.com/w2hgdXD44d
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) September 23, 2024
According to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald, the deal is non-guaranteed.
He is not eligible to sign a two-way contract with the Heat with Keshad Johnson, Dru Smith and Josh Christopher on two-way contracts; he would also put the Heat over the second apron if the contract was guaranteed–which they have been adamant about not doing.
Heat not crossing 2nd apron with Little deal because it’s not guaranteed. As a first apron team, Heat cannot take back more salary than it sends out in a trade. If you’re over 2nd apron, you can’t aggregate players in trade (such as trading 2 guys for 1 or 1 for 3). Heat not…
— Barry Jackson (@flasportsbuzz) September 23, 2024
Little last played for the Phoenix Suns, appearing in just 45 games last season. He averaged 3.4 points and 1.7 rebounds in 10.2 minutes per game, shooting 46.0 percent from the floor, 30.0 percent from 3-point range and 85.0 percent from the free-throw line.
It was reported last week that Little planned to work out with the Heat, as well as the Boston Celtics, Golden State Warriors and Sacramento Kings. The Suns waived Little–in addition to EJ Liddel–in late August to open up a roster spot with the league’s highest payroll.
I don’t expect Little to crack the Heat’s initial rotation, but he can play a valuable role defensively. He’s lengthy–6-foot-6 with a 7-foot-2 wingspan–athletic and switchable. He’s also shown to have solid dexterity and fits a need for the Heat: Point of attack defense. Outside of Highsmith, they don’t have much POA juice. Little may not be the perfect player, but he could fit a role if he sticks on this roster past training camp into the regular season–especially since Miami is consistently one of the more injured teams leaguewide. I could buy-in to his improved shot, too.
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I though Heat looking for bigs? So why little? 😉
He’s a little big?
Somebody is already in game shape.
hey hey! I watched this guy on the Blazers for a few years. Here’s my best explanation of what we’re signing up for:
He fits a classic Heat profile, similar to James Ennis or Jamal Cain. He’s an athletic 3-D wing that can’t shoot the 3. A talented basketball player that can’t fit a role on an NBA roster.
If he can learn how to shoot, he can probably be a valuable player on this team. More likely he is a tantalizing but frustrating player that never quite works out.
All that said, he’s a fun dude to add to the roster.
Love the insight, O. Sounds about right. I like these one year lotto tickets. You never know when you cash in, and when they do, it can change the rotations in a positive manner. Let’s see how this plays out.
derek rose released.as a backup pg 10-15 mins a game?rc sun man?any interest
heck yeah. let’s bring-in bizarro Mike Beasley
Sign me up, I always wanted Derrick rose since that draft with Michael beasley, where we should of been the 1st pick. Definitely helps with backup pg.
He might be a good minimum signing, but the Heat would have to trade someone to clear a spot and have the money. It’s pretty unlikely.
6’6or7”, 7’2” wingspan, very athletic, solid defender, needs to improve 3pt %, can play sf or pf, just 24, former first round pick.
I am pleased to have him. I will take any improvements, grateful for any help we can get.