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Little is coming off a disappointing 2022-23 campaign in Portland. He managed to play just 54 games, closing outside the top 300 in standard formats. He ended with averages of 6.6 points per game to go with 2.6 rebounds and 1.1 made three-pointers. Still only 23 years of age, Little could find new beginnings in Phoenix. The defensive-minded forward was traded to the Suns this offseason as part of a blockbuster deal that landed Damian Lillard in Milwaukee. While Little has yet to establish himself as a must-play asset, the fact he has dealt with various injuries has to be taken into account. The 6-foot-5 wing shot a career-high 36.7 percent from deep last year, so he has the potential to be a solid three-and-D depth piece for a star-studded Suns squad. However, that role likely won't warrant much fantasy upside, so managers in standard leagues should look elsewhere at the end of drafts.
Little missed the final 10 weeks of the 2021-22 season due to a shoulder injury that ultimately required surgery, compounded by an abdominal issue that in turn, also required surgery. Prior to his injury, Little put together the best stretch of his career, scoring in double digits in 11 of 16 games. His playing time was consistently in excess of 30 minutes as the Trail Blazers battled through a number of injuries to key players. All signs point to Little being healthy to begin the season, and there's a chance he starts at small forward if the Blazers want some size on the wing next to Damian Lillard and Anfernee Simons. However, unless he makes significant strides and starts consistently seeing 30 minutes per game, it seems unlikely he'll have standard-league relevance outside of streaming opportunities.
Little was projected by many to go much higher than pick 25, and he could be a valuable selection by Portland. He averaged 9.8 points and 4.6 rebounds (47.8 FG%, 26.9 3P%, 77.0 FT%) in 18.2 minutes per game while coming off the bench for North Carolina as a freshman this past year. Little appeared in four summer league games, but he was underwhelming. In 17.6 minutes per game, he averaged 3.3 points on 4.5 shots and 3.3 rebounds. It seems like he'll have to put in some work with the training staff to get to a skill level more in line with how he was viewed coming out of high school, which was that of a top-five recruit. Portland is relatively thin at small forward, but Little will still have to beat out Kent Bazemore, Rodney Hood, Anthony Tolliver and Mario Hezonja to see consistent playing time.