"The Miami Heat have turned heads in 2025-26 by trusting former second-round draft pick Pelle Larsson to step in as a starter. Larsson has started 26 of his 39 appearances this season, including eight of the Heat's past nine games. Though Larsson is an undoubtedly talented player, he's also testing the limits of Heat Culture as head coach Erik Spoelstra turns to yet another inefficient shooter for major minutes."
"Miami has built its success under Spoelstra on going against the grain and defying conventional standards. Its gamble on midrange scorer Jimmy Butler, for instance, paid off to the tune of two trips to the NBA Finals. Butler isn't the only player the Heat have invested in who doesn't necessarily fit the modern mold of an NBA wing, of course, with Jaime Jaquez Jr. currently making a case for Sixth Man of the Year without a three-point shot."
"Miami has shot relatively efficiently as a team, ranking No. 12 in the NBA in three-point field goal percentage. With Jaquez checking in at 27.4 percent and ranking sixth on the team in minutes, however, there couldn't possibly be space for another non-shooter in the rotation. Larsson has proven otherwise, overcoming his 32.1 percent shooting from beyond the arc to provide quality minutes to the Heat in 2025-26."
Pelle Larsson earned a significant role for the Miami Heat in 2025-26, starting 26 of 39 games and appearing in eight of the last nine. Head coach Erik Spoelstra allocated major minutes despite Larsson's below-average three-point accuracy. Larsson shoots 32.1 percent from deep but converts 58.1 percent on two-point attempts and provides playmaking. He averages 9.7 points, 3.3 assists, and 2.9 rebounds in 23.5 minutes, which scale to 14.8 points, 5.0 assists, and 4.5 rebounds per 36 minutes—each up from his rookie year. The Heat balance spacing concerns with Larsson's complementary on-court value.
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