Miami Heat Adds Nassir Little to Bolster Bench Depth for Upcoming Season

Miami has officially signed former first-round pick Nassir Little, as reported by Chris Haynes and confirmed by Heat beat writers. This contract is a standard deal, not just a training camp invite, and Little will occupy the 15th and final spot on the Heat's regular season roster.

This contract will be for the league minimum and almost certainly is not guaranteed (or maybe is partially guaranteed) because the Heat are flirting with the dreaded second tax apron, a line they do not wish to cross. If this were fully guaranteed it would take them over, but if the team needs to keep Little for the entire season there are other moves they can make to get under the tax line.

Little is a quality wing defender, something every team could use more of, and his play on that end of the court will give him the chance to earn more minutes.

Little spent his first four seasons in Portland and was traded to Phoenix in the three-team Jrue Holiday trade before last season. With the Suns, he got on the court in 45 games, averaging 3.4 points and 1.7 rebounds in 10.2 minutes a night. He'll play a deep bench role in Miami, but he very likely will start the season on the team.