Pelle Larsson has emerged as a special player for the Miami Heat. When he's been on the floor this season, the Heat have been better. In games that Larsson has suited up for the Heat, Miami is 18-10. When he doesn't play, the Heat are just 2-6.
Sure, that doesn't all fall on Larsson's shoulders, but there is clear evidence that he's been better than just a positive player for the Heat. When he's on the floor, he injects the Heat's lineup with energy, effort, and efficient production.
Much has been talked about the breakout years for both Kel'el Ware and Jaime Jaquez Jr., and understandably so. However, you can't talk about the strides this young core has made without including the improvement from Larsson.
Pelle Larsson is a surprise breakout for the Heat
In what could also be categorized as a breakout season, Larsson is averaging 10 points, three rebounds, and three assists on 47 percent shooting from the field and 36 percent shooting from 3-point range.
But it's not just the counting stats where you see the impact from Larsson on the floor. And that's what makes him so valuable for the Heat. It's the intangibles that make his such a key part of what the Heat looks to do every night.
And that's only the case even more so in the Heat's new offense.
In a system that is predicated on movement, off-ball activity, and effort on the fast break, Larsson is almost the perfect fit for Erik Spoelstra. His improved 3-point shot and underrated playmaking ability only make him more of an everyday weapon for the Heat.
What is Pelle Larsson's ceiling?
Whether it's in a starting role or off the bench, Larsson has quietly become one of the Heat's secret weapons. And when he's healthy, he's become a Swiss-Army knife for Spo.
But without the splashy numbers or flashy highlights, it's easy to miss the type of player that Larsson is slowly developing into, or how valuable he's been for the Heat this season.
Make no mistake, Spo clearly realizes just how much he brings to the table on the wing.
And while his ceiling may not be as high as Jaquez Jr.'s or Ware's, there's no question that Larsson is slowly evolving into one of those championship glue-guys that every good team wants on their roster.
While Larsson may not be considered an untouchable for the Heat moving forward, he's probably one of those players the team will want no interest in trading at the deadline or during the offseason. He's the perfect role player building block that the Heat is going to need in the future.