Heat forward Pelle Larsson made his 41st start of the season Sunday, reaching the starter threshold connected to possible restricted free agency, according to Bobby Marks of ESPN.
Players who start at least 41 games or play 2,000 minutes in the season before restricted free agency, or average those numbers across the previous two seasons, receive a higher qualifying offer value.
Miami owns a $2.3 million team option on Larsson for the 2026/27 season. If the Heat were to decline that option to make him a restricted free agent, his qualifying offer would rise to $5.91 million instead of $2.66 million.
However, Larsson is only in his second NBA season, so Miami has little reason to decline such an affordable minimum-level option.
If he finishes his current deal, he would still qualify for restricted free agency next summer with just three years of service time, allowing the Heat to address his contract then or negotiate an extension after exercising the option.
The 44th pick in the 2024 draft, Larsson has become a reliable rotation player in his second year with Miami.
He has played in 54 games, averaging 10.4 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 3.4 assists with 1.2 turnovers in 25.1 minutes per game while shooting .487 from the field, .324 from three-point range, and .779 at the free-throw line.
Heat's Pelle Larsson Reaches Starter Criteria https://t.co/2YnBZ8n4Mq pic.twitter.com/aWsRtj5X5o
— Hoops Rumors (@HoopsRumors) March 10, 2026
