"Pat Riley has woken up" - NBA fans troll Heat head honcho after Nassir Little inks one-year deal with team

NBA fans troll Pat Riley after Nassir Little inks one-year deal with Miami Heat (Image Credit: IMAGN)

Amid their relatively idle offseason, the Miami Heat made a rare move Monday, signing forward Nassir Little. The deal sparked comical NBA fan reactions, with many trolling Heat president Pat Riley.

Coming off a 4-1 first-round playoff loss to the Boston Celtics, Miami has had a quiet offseason. The franchise's most notable move was signing veteran shooting guard Alec Burks to a one-year, $3.3 million contract in early July.

Since then, Heat fans have been waiting for Riley to make a sizeable deal to inject life into his squad's veteran-heavy roster. Instead, Miami continues to round out its bench rotation. According to NBA insider Chris Haynes, the organization inked Little to a one-year deal Monday evening.

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Per the Miami Herald, "Nassir Little's deal is expected to be partially guaranteed or non-guaranteed because of the Heat's position against the ultra-punitive second apron." Thus, the franchise is likely done making moves ahead of training camp.

While Little has shown flashes of two-way wing production over his first five seasons, he's coming off arguably a career-worst campaign with the Phoenix Suns. Over 45 outings, he averaged career lows of 3.4 points, 1.7 rebounds and 0.5 assists per game, shooting 46.0%.

Following Little's signing, fans on X/Twitter quipped about Riley "finally" striking another deal, albeit a minor one.

"PAT RILEY HAS WOKEN UP," @WadexFlash said.

"Old man made a move," @KingJ1723 wrote.

"PAT RILEY FREE-AGENCY SPLASH," @Cornsbanquet said.

"The Miami Heat FINALLY [did] something!" @RandolphKh33514 wrote.

Meanwhile, others sarcastically remarked about the deal being a needle mover.

"League-changing news," @10gotgame said.

"CHAMPIONSHIP. HUGE MOVE," @ooofivan wrote.

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Nassir Little could be Pat Riley and Miami's next reclamation project

While most Miami fans seemingly weren't too enthused about their team signing Nassir Little, the move could prove to be a bargain.

The Heat have garnered a reputation for consistently finding and developing diamonds in the rough. Meanwhile, Little, a 2019 first-round pick, is still only 24. So, perhaps he can absorb some of recently departed forward Caleb Martin's minutes.

After going undrafted in 2019, Martin made a name for himself with Miami the past three years, proving pivotal during the franchise's 2023 NBA Finals run. His improved play earned him a four-year, $35 million contract from the Philadelphia 76ers this offseason.

As for Nassir Little's best season, he seemingly peaked during the 2021-22 campaign with the Portland Trail Blazers, the organization that drafted him. Across 42 appearances, he averaged career highs of 9.8 ppg, 5.6 rpg and 1.3 apg, shooting 46.0%.