The Miami Heat selected Pelle Larsson with the No. 44 overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft. Fast forward to the present day, and Larsson looks like the exact type of two-way player who could be a regular starter in Miami for years to come. Finding a player like that in the second round is a talent the Heat have perfected.
Larsson has earned more playing time than ever lately, taking a huge leap in his sophomore season in Miami. He’s gone from a once-in-a-while type of guy to a player Erik Spoelstra has trusted to play big-time minutes in most games. That’s a massive jump for a second-year player.
If he continues to improve at this rate, he could be a true building block in Miami.
Pelle Larsson's two-way abilities have made him look like a building block for the Heat
So far this season, Larsson has appeared in 45 games for the Heat, earning 32 starts. In those games, he has played 23.9 minutes per contest, which is a huge jump up from the 14.2 he played during his rookie season.
He is averaging 10.2 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 3.3 assists while shooting 49.5% from the floor and 33.3% from deep range on 2.8 three-point attempts per contest.
Obviously, Larsson will need to improve as a three-point shooter if he wants to make a star leap, but right now, he has all the tools to be one of the best two-way role players in the NBA.
The 6-foot-5 guard is a great defender. He’s physical, knows how to disrupt ball-handlers, and is a pain to deal with off-the-ball. Larsson simply has a great understanding of how to cause havoc on the defensive end.
Then, offensively, he can cut, finish around the rim, and even playmake a little bit. If he gets the three-point shot down, he’ll be a very well-rounded player.
In Miami’s win over the Atlanta Hawks on Friday night, Larsson entered his latest in a string of impressive performances, stretching back to before the All-Star break.
He finished the game with 12 points, six rebounds, one assist, and two steals while shooting 6-of-9 from the floor. But the most impressive stat of all was the 31:55 he played—a team-high. Spoelstra trusts him.
Before the Heat’s tough loss to Boston on February 6, he went four straight games playing at least 24 minutes, including two playing over 30 minutes. He scored 15 points, 22 points, 20 points, and 18 points.
Larsson seems to be blossoming into an elite role player, and who knows? Maybe there’s more that he can accomplish.
Regardless, the 24-year-old looks like a perfect building block for the Heat moving forward.