Unlike his teammate Anfernee Simons, who “bet on himself” in 2021 to better hit the jackpot this summer at the end of his rookie contract, Nassir Little did not wait to be a “free agent” to secure his future in Oregon.
The Blazers winger has indeed extended his contract with his club on Monday, for four years and 28 million dollars, one year from the end of his rookie contract, therefore. A sum much lower than the current market prices, and therefore the agreements found by certain other players, like him, from the 2019 Draft.
Like Zion Williamson and Ja Morant ($194 million), RJ Barrett ($107 million), Tyler Herro ($130 million), Jordan Poole ($140 million), all extended after three seasons in the league, or just teammate Anfernee Simons , who offered himself a $100 million contract after testing the market this summer.
A value limited by injuries
But the main thing is elsewhere for the 22-year-old player, who is returning from a long crossing of the desert, after two operations in eight months. What mattered to him was peace of mind.
” I mean, it’s still $28 million. I have the financial security, but also the peace of mind to tell myself that this file is closed, and to know that the club still believes in me. […] Five years ago, if someone had told me that I was going to make $28 million at 22, I would have organized a celebration in this honor. » did he declare.
Despite everything, the former “freshman” of North Carolina does not hide the fact that he would of course have liked to afford a larger sum on this contract. But he also understands that his recent injuries have logically altered his market value, and then calmly puts his situation into perspective.
” I won’t lie, I think I’m worth more than [ce contrat à 28 millions]. But given my injury history, I wanted to close this case now, and the club wanted me here. added the winger, who has indeed never played more than 48 games in a season since the start of his NBA career in 2019. I know I’m probably going to play at a level that will be higher than a player who signed a $28 million contract, but in the end all I wanted was to stay in Portland, so I’m Glad this case is handled. […] It’s a weight that has been lifted from my shoulders, and I can now move on, enjoy myself and my family. I’m quiet for the rest of my life. »
| Nassir Little | Percentage | Bounces | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Crew | GM | Minimum | Shots | 3 points | LF | Off | Def | Early | pd | party | Int | bp | CT | Points |
| 2019-20 | ORP | 48 | 12 | 43.0 | 23.7 | 63.6 | 0.7 | 1.6 | 2.3 | 0.5 | 1.5 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 3.6 |
| 2020-21 | ORP | 48 | 13 | 46.7 | 35.0 | 80.0 | 0.7 | 2.0 | 2.7 | 0.5 | 1.1 | 0.1 | 0.4 | 0.3 | 4.6 |
| 2021-22 | ORP | 42 | 26 | 46.0 | 33.1 | 73.4 | 1.4 | 4.2 | 5.6 | 1.3 | 2.0 | 0.6 | 1.0 | 0.9 | 9.8 |
| Total | 138 | 17 | 45.5 | 31.7 | 72.7 | 0.9 | 2.5 | 3.4 | 0.7 | 1.5 | 0.3 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 5.8 | |
