Same. I'm fine with them keeping him (people gave up on Simons too), but I'm also fine if they upgrade at his position (and I hope they do)
I'm a fan of NAS even if he is so injury prone. When healthy he has had very positive impacts on the court. If the team can keep him on a cheap contract as he has this year then I'm fine with him being a wild card contributor. The problem is if the team allocates a big portion of the cap, or a starting role, or even a key permanent bench role to him. Just move on in any of those cases. He is eligible for an extension this summer or will be a free agent next year summer. Best to hold off on any of that for now, not expect anything from him, and if he gives us something that will be a nice bonus.
I’m sure there is some team that thinks they can keep him healthy. I would trade him for anyone that offers a backup or starting quality SF/PF (even if we have to add more to the package). I’d probably even trade him for a bag of chips or else our team will be constantly playing “well, we aren’t healthy, just wait until we’re healthy” which is a false sense of accomplishment/security/whatever.
I look at Nasir as I look at Collins now: worth having on the roster on a rookie deal, but not worth paying what he might get elsewhere. I'm all in favor of getting more talent on this roster, but depending on how much Little wants, the ROI just may not be there. This is the case with EVERYONE, of course (see: CJ, who is a very good player but paid to be a bit more than that) but given Little (a) hasn't been amazing when he's healthy, and (b) has barely been healthy, I just see more downside than upside at most contract levels.
not sure if you guys caught this nugget from Woj: Cronin takes over at a crucial time for the Blazers, an offseason when the organization has a top-10 pick, a $21 million trade exception and the ability to extend three of its top players, All-Star Damian Lillard, Anfernee Simons and Nassir Little. I initially saw no scenario where Little would get an extension THIS summer. Interesting.
Can the team offer him an extension at a lower amount? Lock him in for a salary that gives him security but benefits our cap moving forward? If possible Nas might take it because of injury concerns. The Blazers might want it in case he blows up this year and demands a higher salary like Ant is going to get.
He is a negative ROI presently. Doesn’t mean Jack shit if you’re Michael Jordan and can only play in 10 games per season.
The only discount worth it would be giving him a minimum contract because the best ability… is availability… which he doesn’t have.
Happy Nas got it taken care of now. The future is bright for him. Yes he's had injury problems, but hopefully he can put that in the rear mirror. You never know with injuries. Look at Ja Morant and his "trick knee". Already gone out multiple times. As great as he's looked, there's no guaranty it won't be a recurring situation.
We had a similar discussion last year regarding Ant. Some would not give him 7 million per because he had not proved anything. Not that he would have taken it, but that sure would have been nice.
Does anybody here think Little is one of Portland's 'top' players? I sure don't despite some throw-away hyperbole by Woj. Dame-Nurk-Simons-Hart-Winslow-Watford are all better, and certainly more dependable and consistent. Little, at times, has flashed good potential, but those time always seem to lead to another stretch of missed games
Do you mean the only other player besides LeBron James to be named MVP of both the McDonald's All-American game and the Jordan Classic? Why shouldn't he be? I had higher hopes for him than Anfernee Simons going into last season. He's a terrific prospect who has been very productive and proved to be a game-changer when out on the floor.