2019 NBA Draft: Nassir Little looks to bring versatility to the Trail Blazers

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NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JUNE 20: Nassir Little poses with NBA Commissioner Adam Silver after being drafted with the 25th overall pick by the Portland Trail Blazers during the 2019 NBA Draft at the Barclays Center on June 20, 2019 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) /

Former UNC basketball forward Nassir Little looks to be a missing piece to a playoff team in a conference that is wide open.

Nassir Little entered his freshman season as the best draft prospect on the UNC basketball roster but after an up-and-down season, he became the third Tar Heel to be taken in the NBA Draft.

One of the biggest sliders in the first round, Little fell all the way to the Portland Trail Blazers at No. 25, and has been called the “steal of the draft” by many analysts including ESPN’s Jay Bilas and Mike Schmitz.

Steal for Portland in Nassir Little. Not easy to find a 6-6 wing with a 225-pound frame and a 7-1 wingspan in the mid-20s. High character young man with a little more skill than he showed at North Carolina.
— Mike Schmitz (@Mike_Schmitz) June 21, 2019

Roy Williams even gave his opinion on the 6-foot-6 wing following Thursday’s draft and what he saw unfold.

"“I was dying for Nassir. That’s a hard situation to be in the green room with so many other players, maybe too many. But you never know (what) teams are thinking. I know one thing – he is the absolute steal of the draft.”"

Now Little takes his talents out west to a team that won 53 games from a season ago and could be one of the missing links for the Trail Blazers.

While Little may not make a huge impact right away, he is going to an organization that has been able to develop talent, both raw and underrated, and utilize them to best showcase their skill.

So how exactly does he fit into the Trail Blazers system? Let’s check it out.

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