Former Portland Trail Blazers forward Nassir Little was released by the Phoenix Suns on Wednesday, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic.
Last summer, the Blazers traded Little, Jusuf Nurkic and Keon Johnson to the Suns in a series of deals that ended with All-Star Damian Lillard arriving in Milwaukee and the Blazers receiving Deandre Ayton and Toumani Camara from Phoenix, along with picks and players from the Bucks.
Prior to the trade, Little played four seasons with the Blazers, who selected him in the first round of the 2019 NBA draft.
Last season, Little averaged just 3.4 points and 1.7 rebounds in 10.2 minutes per game in 45 appearances.
In four seasons with the Blazers, Little averaged 6.0 points and 3.2 rebounds.
According to Charania, the Suns will use Little’s contract extension clause, which is worth $22 million over three years.
This provision allows teams to avoid taking a big hit to the salary cap when releasing players under contract by spreading the remaining money owed over several years.
Little is now a free agent.
— Aaron Fentress | [email protected] | @AaronJFentress (Twitter), @AaronJFentress (Instagram), @AaronFentress (Facebook)
