Q: Nikola Jovic was a bad re-signing. I like Pelle Larsson a lot more than Jovic, but he would also be a bad re-signing. Bringing these types of guys back is what ruins a team’s flexibility. Look at Denver with the Christian Braun deal. Never re-sign non-major difference makers if your goal is championship. You’re better off just replacing these types of dudes with free agent vets or G Leaguers. OKC does it perfectly – let Lu Dort, Aaron Wiggins and Isaiah Joe go to maintain flexibility. – Lex.
A: The difference is that with such a top-heavy salary structure – with Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo on max deals – you have to find a way to balance out the salary structure. So a Pelle Larsson extension at the right price point makes plenty of sense. The question becomes the price point. A case, in fact, could be made that Nikola Jovic came in at that right price point with his extension and he merely underachieved last season (with it worth noting that his extension does not begin until this season). Nikola in the mid-level range, even now, has its merits. Such is the going rate these days for a quality reserve. As it is, Klay Thompson and Tim Hardaway Jr. both could walk in free agency next summer. So Pelle at the right price on an extension is a way of locking in quality and a quality price.
Q: Pelle Larsson, to me, is the Tyler Johnson 2026, so deal him while he still has some value. – Ayatora.
Q: Tyler Johnson was 6-3 and not a good defender. Pelle is 6-5, holds his own when guarding players bigger than him, and he’s more efficient in the paint than Tyler. He’s showing way more potential than Tyler ever did and he’s only entering his third year. – Dominik.
A: Thanks for doing my work for me. Tyler Johnson was the right fit at the right time for a roster lost in the wilderness, when the Heat were searching for a direction. It’s not as if his salary necessarily got in the way, eventually offloaded somewhat easily to the Suns. Pelle stands as a meaningful component at a meaningful juncture in the franchise’s history. A case could be made that he is needed more now for overall success than Tyler was when the Heat matched his offer sheet from the Nets. In fact, that’s exactly what you should want to avoid with Pelle, having to match an offer sheet next summer in restricted free agency.
Q: If the Heat see it now, extend Pelle Larsson. I’ve learned this with clients, waiting always costs more. – Kaden.
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.