With just a couple of weeks before the start of Miami Heat training camp, it doesn't appear as if Pelle Larsson is going to get a contract extension before the 2026-27 season tips off.
While such a move is hardly surprising, especially considering how much the early extension decision for Nikola Jovic has seemingly backfired on them, it's a decision that one Heat beat writer believes will end up costing them in the long run.
Ira Winderman insinuates that if the Heat believes Larsson is worthy of an extension now, they should pull the trigger, while also agreeing with the idea that waiting could end up costing the Heat more.
Q: If the Heat see it now, extend Pelle Larsson. I’ve learned this with clients, waiting always costs more.
A: Correct. In fact, if Nikola Jovic had a good season last season, the Heat might have been priced out of his market. With Pelle Larsson’s motor, you know you are always going to get something.
The Heat are taking a Pelle Larsson gamble either way this season
This is completely accurate. Either way, the Heat is going to end up taking a risk with Larsson this season when it comes to his contract situation.
If they extend him early, they're betting that he's going to take a pretty big step forward in his development. If they don't give him an extension before the start of the season, they're risking his price tag rising if he does have anything that resembles a breakout year.
And this is the dilemma that the Heat must be willing to live with this season. In theory, is there a chance that waiting to sign Larsson to an extension ends up working out in the Heat's favor? Sure. But it doesn't seem very likely.
Especially if the Heat firmly believes that Larsson will continue to develop into the player they hope he can be.
If the Heat believes in Larsson, they should just extend him now
But as Winderman hints at, if the Heat does believe in Larsson, they should sign him to an extension now. From all indications, especially with the way they decided to fill out the roster around Giannis Antetokounmpo, it does seem as if the Heat does believe in Larsson.
The way the Heat built out their roster, it does feel as if the Heat believes a leap is coming from Larsson. The big question, of course, is how big that development jump will end up being.
If it is a big one, Larsson could end up pricing himself out of Miami. At the very least, if Larsson thrives next to Giannis this season, there's no question that it will end up costing the Heat more in the long run.
But, at least for now, it does seem as if they're willing to take that gamble. Objectively, especially as a Larsson believer, I'm just not sure how responsible it is.
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