Portland Trail Blazers exercise options for Anfernee Simons, Nassir Little

In some good news for Anfernee Simons and Nassir Little, the Portland Trail Blazers have exercised their third and fourth-year rookie player options.

Both Anfernee Simons and Nassir Little required decisions from the Portland Trail Blazers on their rookie options.

The second-year forward Little and the third year combo guard Simons will now be part of the team for their third and fourth years. Though this seems like a straight forward decision for the Blazers, sometimes young players who haven’t played a lot or struggle early in their career, have their options declined.

Simons and Little haven’t played a massive amount of minutes in the first few years of their careers, but both have shown enough to justify the investment of another season.

Because both players were drafted in the 20s in their respective drafts, the financial investment also isn’t significant.

Simons – $3,938,818

Little – $2,316,240

These salaries are around the minimum; the Blazers still don’t know who they have in these two young charges, so it makes sense to give them another year each to develop.

The Blazers are an excellent development team, who have the best track record in the NBA over the last five years when it comes to developing second round picks. Their superior culture and developmental coaches provide a strong base where guys like Gary Trent Jr., Pat Connaughton and Jake Layman have been able to prosper.

Fans will be able to see Simons in the rotation this season, while Little is likely to be in the garbage time crew this season, and then be in the rotaton in 2021.