Heat Pick Up Pelle Larsson’s $2.3 Million Option to Hold Cheap Rotation Spot

Overview

• The Heat elected to pick up Pelle Larsson’s $2.3 million team option for 2026-27, which keeps him on the roster at a low salary and delays any long-term commitment.
• That choice makes Larsson a restricted free agent in 2027 if Miami does not extend him, and he remains eligible now for a four-year, $93 million extension down the line.
• The move follows Miami’s trade for Giannis Antetokounmpo, which tightened short-term payroll flexibility and pushed the club to preserve lower-cost contributors rather than guarantee larger near-term salaries.
• Larsson earned the spot by emerging last season as a regular rotation player, appearing in 70 games with 54 starts and averaging 11.4 points, 3.5 rebounds and 3.4 assists in 26.4 minutes.
• Miami still faces several pending option and qualifying-offer decisions — including Andrew Wiggins’ player option and choices for Keshad Johnson, Dru Smith, Vlad Goldin and Trevor Keels — that will shape the team’s final 2026-27 payroll and rotation.