The Trail Blazers have picked up the 2021-22 season options for third-year guard Anfernee Simons and second-year forward Nassir Little, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN .
After appearing in just 20 games during his 2018-19 rookie campaign, Simons, 21, earned a slot in Portland’s rotation during his second season with the club in 2019-20. The 6-foot-3 guard averaged 8.3 points, 2.2 rebounds and 1.4 assists in 20.7 minutes across 70 games.
The team has now locked in the $3,938,818 2021-22 season salary for Simons. If the Trail Blazers and Simons do not reach an agreement on a rookie-scale extension next offseason, the guard will become a restricted free agent in the summer of 2022.
Little, 20, was drafted with the No. 25 pick in 2019 after one season at North Carolina. The 6-foot-5 forward appeared in 48 games during his rookie season, averaging 11.9 minutes. He is set to earn $2,316,240 next season.
Bobby Marks of ESPN reports that this Tuesday, December 29, will be the league deadline for third- and fourth-year team options.
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