The Pelle Larsson hype train is getting awfully full and gaining plenty of momentum. So much so that it may force the Miami Heat's hand into a familiar (and very risky) financial decision before the season even begins.
With the motion that Larsson has created this season through his impressive showing in FIBA competition with Team Sweden, the Heat must decide whether they should sign him to an early extension now or risk a breakout season from their young wing, making his price tag that much more expensive.
The good news is that this is not necessarily a decision the Heat has to make before the start of the season; Larsson's extension window will remain open until next June. However, there's reason to believe that Miami may want to lock him up early, especially if they do believe that he's about to have a breakout season.
Pelle Larsson's hype train is starting to get national traction
It's not just his impressive showing in FIBA competition that has helped Larsson make waves so far this offseason. It's gotten well beyond that. In fact, Larsson is already getting some national love as a player who could potentially be in for a breakout year.
On a recent episode of the Zach Lowe Show, NBA analyst Mo Dakhil mentioned that he had Larsson as a potential Most Improved Player of the Year award winner heading into this season. Lowe didn't push back on the notion and would go on to put his stamp of approval on this take.
“It’s a great name, that’s on my list…I think he was penciled in as a starter before they got Klay…the Heat really like him, he’s tough, he’s a Heat guy — it’s a great pick.”
And now that Larsson is gaining this type of traction, the Heat may feel the need to try to invest in their young player early. Of course, there's only one problem with that. Making such a decision would invite quite the risk, one that pretty much blew up in their face a year ago with Nikola Jovic.
The Heat gave Jovic an early contract extension, hoping that it would prove to be a smart investment. However, the developmental leap that the Heat was expecting from Jovic never came. Currently, Jovic is considered to be a negative asset for Miami.
There's hope that he can dig his way out of the hole that he's dug for himself, but there's no guarantee he can do that. And that has to be the concern with Larsson.
No matter how high the Heat may be on Larsson, there's no guarantee such a gamble will pay off...until it does. That's what the Heat's front office has to be weighing on their minds. But make no mistake, the Larsson hype train is not making that decision any simpler.
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