Portland Trail Blazers: 3 Players to take a chance on for preseason

PORTLAND, OREGON - MAY 08: Nassir Little #9 of the Portland Trail Blazers warms up before the game against the San Antonio Spurs at Moda Center on May 08, 2021 in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images) /

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(Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images) /

Nassir Little – third-year forward

Nassir Little is set for the customary third-year jump that fans are used to seeing out of Blazer players. Often, because of development and then being allowed more of a role, this is the season that the younger players start to pop.

For Little, he has already shown massive improvement from year one to year two, but with limited options at the forward spots, and the chances of a trade where CJ McCollum or Derrick Jones Jr leave town, Little may go from a small role to a large role quite quickly.

In 2021, all his shooting numbers increased, he played better defense than the previous year, as well as staying fit and avoiding COVID which hurt him in 2020 when he lost a large amount of weight and fell out of the rotation.

Nas has a maturity and work ethic that will likely lead to an increased role this season. With the potential of a CJ or DJJ trade, Nas could step into a starting small forward role, or be the full-time backup at the three.

People might not have seen enough yet to think that Nas can be a starter, but with his work ethic, size and natural three and d skill, Nas is ready to hit the ground running in training camp, and prove he should be in the rotation.