Nasir Little may be the SF of the future

[blazerfan11]

fortunately or unfortunately (depending on how you wanna look at it) I think Nas is our most valuable player outside of Nurk and Dame. He brings that extra element the others just dont- energy, athleticism, defense, rebounding, etc. I would defo extend him and just live with his injuries because when hes on the court hes an impact player.

That's exactly how I think of him too, as an impact player. A person has to actually watch the game to see it.

 

[tykendo]

I see Nas having every bit , if not more, the trajectory for success that Ant is viewed as having. I've been against trading him. let him develop. When it's all said and done, not trading Nas might be the greatest move Joe has done to date. I totally see Nassir as our starting SF of today, tomorrow, and the future. Go Blazers!!

 

[BankTeller]

I would be very happy if we can get Nas locked down for 12-15 mil. If he's healthy, he's gonna break out this year and everyone in the league will be after him if he hits RFA.

4 yrs, 50 or so would be amazing.

I think I’d even do 4 yrs/$60 to absolutely lock him in so he doesn’t think about betting on himself.

I think you just have to hope for the best with injuries like GSW did with Steph. I think he’s going to keep getting better, and maybe eventually be borderline elite, at playing defense and getting to and above the rim. I think he’s going to improve on his shot and decision making.

My fear is we don’t offer him anything and choose to wait till RFA, where he’ll sign for $20m+.

 

[BankTeller]

I see Nas having every bit , if not more, the trajectory for success that Ant is viewed as having. I've been against trading him. let him develop. When it's all said and done, not trading Nas might be the greatest move Joe has done to date. I totally see Nassir as our starting SF of today, tomorrow, and the future. Go Blazers!!

I don’t think it’s bad to have him come off the bench this year. I actually wonder if we said “the way the team in constructed, we need you on the bench because you’re the only guy with any experience on the roster that can play SF and PF, but we promise to start you full time starting next year, here’s 4 years/$__m”, he would take the deal.

 

[illmatic99]

I think I’d even do 4 yrs/$60 to absolutely lock him in so he doesn’t think about betting on himself.

I think you just have to hope for the best with injuries like GSW did with Steph. I think he’s going to keep getting better, and maybe eventually be borderline elite, at playing defense and getting to and above the rim. I think he’s going to improve on his shot and decision making.

My fear is we don’t offer him anything and choose to wait till RFA, where he’ll sign for $20m+.

Fischer said the going rate for Cam Johnson is ~15/yr. Keldon Johnson from that same class got 20 per year. I think 12-15 is the range for Nas given what he's shown so far. It's above the full MLE and if we lace the offer with incentives, the team can make it worth his while rather than going fishing in RFA. But he's the exact kind of profile of player that every team is looking for.

Who knows the extent of negotiations with Ant last year, but I feel like we could have signed him for cheaper than 100 mil. Do we want that to happen again with Nas? His injury history is the risk obviously with any offer now, but it's one worth exploring.

 

[HoopsFanAZ]

Fischer said the going rate for Cam Johnson is ~15/yr. Keldon Johnson from that same class got 20 per year. I think 12-15 is the range for Nas given what he's shown so far. It's above the full MLE and if we lace the offer with incentives, the team can make it worth his while rather than going fishing in RFA. But he's the exact kind of profile of player that every team is looking for.

Who knows the extent of negotiations with Ant last year, but I feel like we could have signed him for cheaper than 100 mil. Do we want that to happen again with Nas? His injury history is the risk obviously with any offer now, but it's one worth exploring.

You’re in the ballpark. A healthy Nas at about $12 is arguable. Even if he’s not the SF desired for the Blazers, his value would help in trade to get that guy. The number one criteria with a 4 or 5th year team option that becomes guaranteed is “games played.”

 

[BankTeller]

Fischer said the going rate for Cam Johnson is ~15/yr. Keldon Johnson from that same class got 20 per year. I think 12-15 is the range for Nas given what he's shown so far. It's above the full MLE and if we lace the offer with incentives, the team can make it worth his while rather than going fishing in RFA. But he's the exact kind of profile of player that every team is looking for.

Who knows the extent of negotiations with Ant last year, but I feel like we could have signed him for cheaper than 100 mil. Do we want that to happen again with Nas? His injury history is the risk obviously with any offer now, but it's one worth exploring.

That’s what will help in signing him for cheaper imo. Even if his shot never came around and he never becomes even a starter, dude who is an absolute bruiser going to the basket and good defender is a really good asset to have on the bench. He’s displayed nothing but good attitude so far, I don’t doubt his offense will improve. $12-15m/yr is worth the injury risk. If we’re that worried about Nas’ injury, offer 3 years instead of 4. But you need to lock him up for cheaper now.

 

[Hoopguru]

I dont know? I think the team is counting on SS as the 3 of the future. I would get him extended if they can anyway.
Ant and or Naz could be part of a trade before deadline.

 

[blazerkor]

I dont know? I think the team is counting on SS as the 3 of the future. I would get him extended if they can anyway.
Ant and or Naz could be part of a trade before deadline.

If you're planning on trading Nas then you don't extend him for a lot more than he's making this season because then he becomes a poison pill contract and that can be difficult to trade.

 

[Tince]

I dont know? I think the team is counting on SS as the 3 of the future. I would get him extended if they can anyway.
Ant and or Naz could be part of a trade before deadline.

With the 7th pick, I'd assume they are projecting him as a starter down the road. At least I would hope so!

 

[Hoopguru]

With the 7th pick, I'd assume they are projecting him as a starter down the road. At least I would hope so!

AS a lethal scoring three that could happen sooner than later.

 

[PtldPlatypus]

I dont know? I think the team is counting on SS as the 3 of the future. I would get him extended if they can anyway.
Ant and or Naz could be part of a trade before deadline.

Even if they expect Sharpe to be the SFotF, Nas as a starting-caliber forward playing 30 mpg off the bench would absolutely be worth 12-15M

 

[BankTeller]

With the 7th pick, I'd assume they are projecting him as a starter down the road. At least I would hope so!

They’re definitely projecting him to be a starter. The question remains, will he be a starting SG or SF. Right now, my guess would be that the team is gearing him to the starting SG, his contract extension will be coming up around the time Dame is coming to the end of his contract or has decided on his future.

If Dame leaves, I think this team becomes Ant a PG, Sharpe at SG, Little at SF.

If Sharpe is good right away and shows his potential and can contributes right away, Little might get traded and Sharpe will be starting at SF for the foreseeable future.

My ultimate hope would be that he starts at SG eventually for us. I don’t know what would happen if both Sharpe and Little showed us they need to play 25+mpg, but that’d be a nice problem to have.

 

[BankTeller]

Even if they expect Sharpe to be the SFotF, Nas as a starting-caliber forward playing 30 mpg off the bench would absolutely be worth 12-15M

Let’s be honest though, no one here really thinks a Nas extension gets done before the season starts.

It’s really just all wishful thinking imo.

 

[B-Roy]

Let’s be honest though, no one here really thinks a Nas extension gets done before the season starts.

It’s really just all wishful thinking imo.

I do

 

[wizenheimer]

I think there are too many questions about sustainability with Nas to give him 12-15M/year; unless it's something like a 4 year deal with a team option in year 3

he does have a good TS%, but a lot of that is due to 2 things: a fairly high FT rate and shooting a decent percentage when he gets there; a quarter of his shots coming at the rim and a real high conversion rate. He really need to improve on his 3ptFG% though to take the next step. He's also a good rebounder for a SF and show some good defensive potential

so he does have some tools in his toolbox, they just aren't well developed. But of course, the major red flag is his injury history. Ih he can stay healthy, it might be a much different equation

and I agree...OG Anunoby somehow got significantly overrated around here and elsewhere

 

[julius]

and I agree...OG Anunoby somehow got significantly overrated around here and elsewhere

I agree. But it's no surprise that fans overrate a player, esp blazer fans.

 

[Wade Garrett]

I see Nas having every bit , if not more, the trajectory for success that Ant is viewed as having. I've been against trading him. let him develop. When it's all said and done, not trading Nas might be the greatest move Joe has done to date. I totally see Nassir as our starting SF of today, tomorrow, and the future. Go Blazers!!

I strongly disagree.

 

[BankTeller]

I think there are too many questions about sustainability with Nas to give him 12-15M/year; unless it's something like a 4 year deal with a team option in year 3

he does have a good TS%, but a lot of that is due to 2 things: a fairly high FT rate and shooting a decent percentage when he gets there; a quarter of his shots coming at the rim and a real high conversion rate. He really need to improve on his 3ptFG% though to take the next step. He's also a good rebounder for a SF and show some good defensive potential

so he does have some tools in his toolbox, they just aren't well developed. But of course, the major red flag is his injury history. Ih he can stay healthy, it might be a much different equation

and I agree...OG Anunoby somehow got significantly overrated around here and elsewhere

The problem is if that improvement happens this year and he hasn’t been extended, he is going to cost way more than $12-15m/yr. He’ll likely be over $20m/yr.

Right now, I think player wise, Nas is like a bigger version of Dort. Dort got 5yrs/$87.5m contract being the second option on a bad team, so what could a healthy Nas do with 30mpg on a bad team. Dort also has only played 36/52/51 games the last 3 seasons compared to 48/48/42 for Little.

Some here were clamoring to trade down to get Dort before the draft, so those same people should want Nas even more because he is like Dort but at a position of need and will likely cost less.

One thing I love about Nas is his ability to finish through contract easily. That combined with his long wingspan, he should be even bother guys bigger than him with his physicality. If you get him locked up for 4 years at half of Jaylen Brown’s salary and he’s produces over half of Brown’s production, that’s a win.

 

[Tince]

One thing I love about Nas is his ability to finish through contract easily. That combined with his long wingspan, he should be even bother guys bigger than him with his physicality. If you get him locked up for 4 years at half of Jaylen Brown’s salary and he’s produces over half of Brown’s production, that’s a win.

That's not really how it works. Two 15ppg players are not equally as valuable as one 30ppg guy. One 10ppg player is far less than half as valuable as a 20ppg player.

 

[BankTeller]

That's not really how it works. Two 15ppg players are not equally as valuable as one 30ppg guy. One 10ppg player is far less than half as valuable as a 20ppg player.

Lol I didn’t literally mean it that way, maybe I should’n’t have used the word produce.

I just meant that he’s outplayed his contract if he’s even half the player Jaylen Brown is at half the contract.

My bad on that.

 

[Natebishop3]

That's not really how it works. Two 15ppg players are not equally as valuable as one 30ppg guy. One 10ppg player is far less than half as valuable as a 20ppg player.

Wait... what? Are you telling me that three Didi Louzada's aren't worth one Keljin Blevins????

 

[GrandpaBlaze]

Wait... what? Are you telling me that three Didi Louzada's aren't worth one Keljin Blevins????

You need some height in that lineup, I’ve got a pair of Ha’s you can add.

 

[wizenheimer]

The problem is if that improvement happens this year and he hasn’t been extended, he is going to cost way more than $12-15m/yr. He’ll likely be over $20m/yr.

Right now, I think player wise, Nas is like a bigger version of Dort. Dort got 5yrs/$87.5m contract being the second option on a bad team, so what could a healthy Nas do with 30mpg on a bad team. Dort also has only played 36/52/51 games the last 3 seasons compared to 48/48/42 for Little.

well, that's one of the "problems"....the other, bigger problem is that Little can't stay healthy and because of that we don't have any reliable clue if the flashes he has shown is anything close to sustainable.

you used Dort as an example, OK. I could use Cody Martin who signed a 3 year deal for 7.5M/year



I'd think, except for ages, he's a better comp for Little than Dort. He and Little play the same position, while Dort, and his new contract, were drafting off of the momentum and similarities to Marcus Smart. Further, Martin is a much better 3 point shooter and we know that has great value in a wing. Seems like Portland would be taking a substantial risk paying Little twice as much as Martin

also:

Bruce Brown @ 6.6M/year
Donte DeVincenzo @ 4.6M/year
KCP @ 13M/year
Jalen Smith @ 5M/year (not a wing, but a young player showing potential like Little)

Amir Coffey @ 3.6M/year



Caleb Martin @ 6.8M/year
Pat Connaughton @ 9.4M/year
Kyle Anderson @ 9M/year
Tauren Prince @ 7.5M/year

KCP is the only player there with a 12-15M/year deal. Difference is KCP is established and is being paid for what he can do, not what he might grow into doing.

Sure, the Blazers can risk overpaying on a hunch. that's what they are good at apparently, but most times it backfires. There is the Dort contract and the Keldon Johnson contract you can hold up as a pair of examples of the high end for Little. But there were a lot more 'bargain' contracts given out this summer for players about the same level as Little, and many with upside like Little too (and many of those players are much better 3 pt shooters). Also I'll point out that I said 12-15M/year for Little would be a lot more acceptable on a team-friendly deal; like a 4 year deal with a team option in the 3rd season.

 

[Tince]

Lol I didn’t literally mean it that way, maybe I should’n’t have used the word produce.

I just meant that he’s outplayed his contract if he’s even half the player Jaylen Brown is at half the contract.

My bad on that.

Makes sense!

 

[SharpeScooterShooter]

I strongly disagree.

Why?

 

[RR7]

and I agree...OG Anunoby somehow got significantly overrated around here and elsewhere

We're a fan base that hasn't had a competent wing in over a decade it seems. Give us a break!

 

[Wade Garrett]

Why?

I just don't see it, man..
I mean, I see the guy everyday, he's NOT VERY BIG!!!!!
He is often injured, and I just can't see him ever being anything more than a 6/6 guy. If that.
Gawd I hope I am so wrong on this, but I wouldn't pick him on my team at Laurelhurst Park.
I just don't see what he does...3pt shooting? rebounding? perimeter defense?...Nothing there that stands out.
That said, I don't have an issue with him starting, only because I am crazy in love with what Hart/Winslow do together on defense.
I try to keep things real, as I feel, and I am mostly positive, but Nassir Little is the 10th or 11th guy on this team, IMO.

 

[SharpeScooterShooter]

I just don't see it, man..
I mean, I see the guy everyday, he's NOT VERY BIG!!!!!
He is often injured, and I just can't see him ever being anything more than a 6/6 guy. If that.
Gawd I hope I am so wrong on this, but I wouldn't pick him on my team at Laurelhurst Park.
I just don't see what he does...3pt shooting? rebounding? perimeter defense?...Nothing there that stands out.
That said, I don't have an issue with him starting, only because I am crazy in love with what Hart/Winslow do together on defense.
I try to keep things real, as I feel, and I am mostly positive, but Nassir Little is the 10th or 11th guy on this team, IMO.

Gotcha. Wasn't sure if you felt because of injury or lack of skills.
Kind of a combo of everything in your opinion.
I disagree and hope you are wrong, but your opinion absolutely holds merit.

Thanks!

 

[Predator]

I just don't see it, man..
I mean, I see the guy everyday, he's NOT VERY BIG!!!!!
He is often injured, and I just can't see him ever being anything more than a 6/6 guy. If that.
Gawd I hope I am so wrong on this, but I wouldn't pick him on my team at Laurelhurst Park.
I just don't see what he does...3pt shooting? rebounding? perimeter defense?...Nothing there that stands out.
That said, I don't have an issue with him starting, only because I am crazy in love with what Hart/Winslow do together on defense.
I try to keep things real, as I feel, and I am mostly positive, but Nassir Little is the 10th or 11th guy on this team, IMO.

I’m not a Nas fan but he was already proven to be more than a 6/6 guy… seems like an odd take.