With the way Pelle Larsson continues to impress in just his second season, there's reason to believe that he could quietly be playing Norman Powell out of a new contract. With Larsson's emergence, Powell's value to the Heat may not be as straightforward as it once seemed.
And Powell's latest injury may only be adding more doubt to those questions.
The Heat will have some big decisions to make this summer. One of the bigger revolves around the future of Powell. For much of this season, it appeared to be almost a foregone conclusion that the Heat would give Powell an extension.
However, Larsson and a healthy Tyler Herro could slowly be changing that belief. And the more Larsson proves that he's indeed made a huge developmental leap, the greater the chance that the Heat is willing to move on from Powell.
Pelle Larsson's leap may change the Heat's future decisions
Larsson may only be averaging 11 points, three rebounds, and three assists on 49 percent shooting from the field this season, but it's difficult not to be impressed when watching him play. Add in the fact that he's solidified himself as a starter, even when the Heat have been completely healthy, and it's easy to see that he's already won Erik Spoelstra's trust.
Larsson is also coming off a career-high performance in which he finished with 28 points, six rebounds, and six assists. In this game specifically, he was a big part of the Heat's success without Herro and Powell, who were both out with an injury.
Again, if he can keep putting together performances like this, it's going to make the Heat's front office feel as if they could potentially live without a player like Powell.
The Heat's Norman Powell decision may be complicated
Powell is in the final year of his contract and will hit unrestricted free agency this summer. He's had a great season for the Heat, earning the first All-Star honor of his career thus far. However, he has struggled with injuries for the majority of this season.
And at the point of the season when the Heat need him most, Powell has been unavailable.
Powell has only played in four games since the NBA All-Star break and is likely expected to be sidelined for the next few games as well. Despite his strong season, if Powell can't get healthy down the stretch, that's what will be remembered most.
In a "what have you done for me lately" league, the final few weeks of the season could be critical in Powell's hopes of landing another contract in Miami.
And if we're being completely honest, Larsson's emergence is certainly adding another layer to this huge decision for the Heat this offseason. He could slowly be making Powell that much more expendable.