The Phoenix Suns have done an excellent job of trimming the fat on their roster this offseason, although they still have some forgotten about players hoping to have a chance to impress next season. They also brought Bol Bol back for a season season in The Valley, even if it is unclear just how much he will play or can help this roster win.
In order to get these new recruits - including Tyus Jones, Monte Morris and Mason Plumlee - through the door, the front office had to also cut and move some players to make space on their roster. One guy still in Phoenix is Josh Okogie, although it feels like he was re-signed in order to trade down the road.
Nassir Little wasn't so lucky, but he may land on his feet elsewhere in the league.
That's because according to the always reliable Keith Smith of Sportrac, free agent Little has worked out this summer for the Boston Celtics, Golden State Warriors, Miami Heat and Sacramento Kings. He's yet to actually sign anywhere - although this much interest would make it seem likely he eventually will - and that should be of concern to the Suns.
Little's time in Phoenix was not productive, even though there was some excitement when he came over with Jusuf Nurkic, Grayson Allen and Keon Johnson in the trade that sent Deandre Ayton to the Portland Trail Blazers. But his lone campaign with the Suns was hampered by injury, and a head coach in Frank Vogel who didn't appear to fully trust him.
It got so bad that despite having an extremely team-friendly contract - $7 million per year for the next three seasons - the Suns couldn't even find a trade partner and instead just dumped him to save a small bit of money. Yet he's still only 24-years-old and on the offensive end at least, showed some flashes.
Nassir Little is my favorite out of this group, but I’m intrigued by all 3.. I’m glad Kings are taking a look https://t.co/YyW430qk1n
— TrustTheBEAM916 (@Trustme916) September 16, 2024
With the defending champion Celtics and a recent powerhouse in the Warriors interested - not to mention a Heat organization that continue to turn water into wine - another team could be about to get the best out of Little's talents. He's not a starter in the league, but the Suns didn't need him to be that last season, and they wouldn't in 2024-25 either.
The 10.2 minutes he managed in 45 appearances - with a pair of starts - was lower even than his rookie season, and it just feels like he was never given the proper chance to impress. He's only a 33 percent 3-point shooter, but new head coach Mike Budenholzer could have found uses for him driving to the basket.
He's a more polished option than Bol for example - although that's not saying much - and he wouldn't give up nearly as much on the defensive end either. As an 85 percent free-throw shooter last season, the Suns could have done worse than let him wander into the space created by their stars, and see what happens.
The team has ample marksmen now in the form of Grayson Allen and Royce O'Neale, but Little could have provided them with something different. Instead he will look to rehab his value elsewhere in the league, because with interest like that he is going to get a shot. This might be one that comes back to haunt the Suns if the season does not go as planned and Little pops off the bench elsewhere.