Latest News: Blazers to Reunite with Former First-Round Pick

The Portland Trail Blazers ended last season with a 21-61 record, landing them at the bottom of the Western Conference standings. The team struggled to be competitive, leading to another offseason of searching for solutions.

This time, however, the Blazers were ready for the rebuild they had initiated. After trading away former star point guard Damian Lillard last season, Portland shifted its focus toward a long-overdue rebuild. This offseason has centered on future planning, with the Trail Blazers prioritizing younger talent and trying to establish a core group to move forward with.

While they have several young players to build around, adding depth remains a smart strategy. A former Trail Blazers first-round pick was recently waived, sparking discussions about a potential reunion.

Forward Nassir Little was waived by the Phoenix Suns earlier this week, making him a free agent. Could a return to Portland be in the cards for Little?

The Phoenix Suns are waiving forwards Nassir Little and EJ Liddell, per sources. By releasing both, the Suns open up a roster spot and create flexibility for signings and trades during the season. Suns will stretch the three years and $22 million remaining on Little’s deal. pic.twitter.com/UTsuimA2yX

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) August 21, 2024

Portland traded Nassir Little last season as part of the Damian Lillard deal, and he spent the season with the Phoenix Suns. During his time in Phoenix, Little appeared in 45 games, averaging 3.4 points, 1.7 rebounds, and 0.5 assists per game, while shooting 30.0 percent from beyond the arc.

Before the trade, Little had performed well during his four seasons with Portland. He could be a valuable addition for the Trail Blazers, especially if they make some trades before the season begins.

Portland has been rumored to be considering moving some veteran players this offseason, and they still have a few on the roster. If they were to trade someone like Jerami Grant, it would create a gap in the lineup that Little could potentially fill.