Former UNC basketball standout Nassir Little signs with Eastern Conference squad

Former UNC basketball forward Nassir Little has just made a big move in the NBA.

After four years with the Portland Trail Blazers and a one-season stint with the Phoenix Suns in 2023, the 24-year-old has just signed a one-year deal with the Miami Heat.

The former Tar Heel will join forces with all-stars Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo in Miami, who have made the playoffs in each of the past five seasons, including two trips to the NBA finals.

Little signed a four-year rookie contract with Portland in 2019 worth over $10 million dollars and had a breakout year with the Blazers during the 2021-22 season, averaging almost ten 
points and 5.6 rebounds a game. In 2023, the small forward signed a four-year extension with the Trailblazers worth $28 million, but his stint in Portland would eventually be cut short.

After a three-team trade last September 2023, Little was shipped off to Phoenix, where he appeared in 45 games and averaged 3.4 points and 1.7 rebounds a night. Little was waived from the Suns in August 2024 and quickly began working out with other teams, like the Celtics, Warriors, and Kings, looking for his next contract before Miami signed him.

The contract details have yet to be announced to the public, but regardless of the money, a single season with the Heat should be worth whatever they pay him. Miami has been one of the most popular teams in the leagues when it comes to developing talent, as they have consistently built playoff teams with undrafted and underrated players.

Little's 2024-25 season should be a great opportunity to develop his skills and learn from some of the game's greatest players and coaches. Hopefully, Little will find a long-term home in Miami in the process.