Pelle Larsson is playing so good that he's slowly taken over the Dru Smith role for the Miami Heat. At this point, when the Heat gets back to full strength, Larsson could end up playing Smith out of the team's rotation altogether.
Considering how much of a favorite Smith has been during his time with the Heat, that speaks to just how impressive Larsson has been at the start of this season. Perhaps most importantly, it also points to how much of a higher ceiling the team may believe Larsson has compared to Smith.
It could also suggest that it may all finally be clicking for Larsson, something that was far from a foregone conclusion heading into the start of this season. In fact, it wasn't until game No. 4 that Larsson began getting extended minutes from Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra.
And even then, there's an argument that it came out of desperation. It was only when Norman Powell got injured that the team was able to get a closer look at Larsson. Either way, Larsson took advantage of the opportunity, and it doesn't appear that he has any plans of giving it back.
Pelle Larsson is playing an important role for the Heat
Through the first three games, Smith was clearly higher in the rotation than Larsson. In those three games combined, Larsson only saw 17 total minutes on the floor vs. Smith's 52. However, over the last nine games, Larsson is averaging 10 more minutes per game than Smith.
He's also been more productive than Smith, averaging 12 points and four assists per game on 57 percent shooting from the field.
Larsson is playing at a level that the Heat can't possibly cut his role now. In order to do that, Spo is likely going to have to cut minutes elsewhere, especially once Tyler Herro returns. Those minutes will almost certainly come from Smith.
Smith has been a good player for the Heat this season, but doesn't have the dynamic element that Larsson carries. And it would be somewhat foolish for Spo to hold Larsson back now.
Now that he's been given the full green light and that he's answered the call, Spo can't afford to relegate Larsson. Perhaps there's a rough patch that Larsson hits later on in the season, but until that happens, Larsson has proven he deserves the extended minutes.
Unfortunately, it's almost certainly going to come at the expense of Smith, especially once the team is back at full strength.