Sport
Miami Heat serviceable player Has draw out potential from several players
Little was taken 25th overall out of North Carolina by the Portland Trail Blazers in the 2019 NBA Draft, which produced All-Stars Zion Williamson, Ja Morant and Darius Garland.
After putting up four subpar statistical seasons in Portland, Little found himself playing alongside Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal on the Phoenix Suns during the 2023-24 season.
Playing 10 minutes per game for the loaded Suns team, Little put up 3.4 points and 1.7 rebounds per game – the lowest statistical year of his career.
Known for their knack developing NBA journeyman into high-impact role players, the Heat gambled on Little with the hope that he could fill the void left by Caleb Martin, who flourished as a productive wingman for head coach Erik Spoelstra during his three-year run with the Heat.
Little shares many similarities with Martin, not only their physical built but their playing style as well.
Although the 6-foot-6 Little is slightly taller than Martin, who stands at 6-foot-5, both players thrive at the small forward position or power forward on small-ball lineups.
Little is a decent three-point shooter with 33 percent accuracy, while Martin is a career 35 percent three-point shooter.
Little has also become an above-average perimeter defender and outstanding rebounder at his size. He had his best rebounding year during the Blazers’ 2021-22 campaign, averaging 5.6 boards per game.
Martin is also a terrific rebounder despite being an undersized small forward. He averaged 4.4 rebounds per game during the 2023-24 season with the Heat.
Little becomes a more intriguing prospect for the Heat when you take a closer look at his defensive upside, particularly his on-ball defense. Little has a defensive rating of 117.6 in his career.
Martin, on the other hand, has a better defensive rating of 112.0, though playing for defensive, low-scoring teams like the Heat and the Charlotte Hornets has helped him get a lower defensive rating.
Little has the potential to be a serviceable player for the Heat, who know how to draw out potential from several players in the past 10 years, including Martin. Under coach Spo, Martin has built an identity as a scrappy wing player who isn’t afraid to take big shots in clutch situations. It earned him a four-year, $32 million deal with the Philadelphia 76ers this offseason.
The Heat and its fans are hoping that Little will take his game to another level with a team that gives everybody an opportunity to shine and contribute to overall success.
Little remains a project for now. It’s likely he will play behind star small forward Jimmy Butler as what the roster stands right now. Regardless of his initial role, there’s a chance for him to carve out a significant role on his team the moment he figures out how to unleash his true potential.
