The Miami Heat are reportedly interested in signing free agent guard Kevin Porter Jr., who played the 2025-26 season with Giannis Antetokounmpo in Milwaukee. It's a wise pursuit to consider, as Porter is a talented and productive scorer and playmaker who can fill a void in Miami. In saying that, signing Porter must not interfere with Pelle Larsson's development.
Larsson doesn't appear to be in any danger of losing his spot in the rotation, of course, but if Porter limits the incumbent's usage, then it would do as much harm as good long-term.
Porter is one of the most productive NBA players south of the All-Star line. That may sound like an exaggeration, but he finished the 2025-26 season with marks of 17.4 points, 7.4 assists, 5.2 rebounds, 2.2 steals, and 1.2 three-point field goals made per game.
It should thus come as no surprise that a Heat team that's in dire need of shot creators and playmakers along the perimeter has reportedly expressed interest in signing Porter.
Per Jake Fischer and Marc Stein of The Stein Line:
"The Stein Line has learned that Portland has joined Miami on the list of teams considering a move for the 26-year-old."
The Heat should absolutely consider signing Porter to help address the need for scoring and facilitating from the perimeter positions, but Larsson must remain the priority.
Pelle Larsson's development should be Heat's top perimeter priority
Miami clearly values Larsson, as it signed him to a four-year, $60 million contract extension that will commence in 2027-28. They've also played him in a prominent role early in 2026-27, handing him 29.4 minutes per game—up from 26.4 in 2025-26.
In saying that, Larsson's usage rate has declined from 16.5 to 14.6 despite the potential he showed overseas earlier this summer and the need for shot creation and playmaking.
The good news is that Larsson has done well in his role regardless. He's experienced a massive jump in efficiency from 32.3 percent from beyond the arc in 2025-26 to 44.8 percent early in 2026-27, and has also improved his free throw shooting from 79.7 percent to 89.5 percent.
Though Larsson deserves credit for getting the most out of the role he's been given, adding Porter could compromise his usage even further—an issue the Heat must be prepared to prevent.
Pelle Larsson is too valuable for Miami to let him fade into the background
If Larsson maxes out as an excellent defender who has learned to shoot the three-ball and offers supporting value as a playmaker, he'd still be worth his contract. Considering he's a third-year player who made significant improvements between his rookie and sophomore seasons, however, growth opportunities must exist.
The key to providing those opportunities is understanding how a ball-dominant player like Porter could interfere with Larsson receiving chances to create for himself and others.
In saying all of this, if the Heat can sign Porter without altering Larsson's role, they should. He's a dynamic offensive player who would check boxes Miami continues to struggle to otherwise check. If the goal is to maximize the Antetokounmpo era, however, then Larsson's development remains a higher priority than simply plugging a hole—no matter how big that hole may be.
Porter is a compelling free agent for the Heat to consider, but they can't lose sight of Larsson's need for an evolving role in the process.
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