Pelle Larsson has one year left on his rookie contract, which is worth a total of around 50 million kronor over three years. These are completely different from the amounts mentioned in the speculation ahead of Larsson's supposed extension with the Miami Heat, which is expected to be many times the Swede's salary.
"I think I've earned that talk. I've faced players with bigger contracts and done better than they have. And yes, you still feel like you've done well and been relatively cheap labor so far if you compare it to my teammates," says the blue-and-yellow basketball star.
Larsson has been home in Sweden for the past week and on Tuesday he was doing interviews on a continuous basis at a restaurant in central Stockholm.
Want to write this summer
A new contract is still a long way off.
"There are many other pieces that have to fall into place before the discussion comes to me. If they are going to make any major changes to the team, they will do it first, because I am already there. They can also wait until the season is over - I have one year left," Larsson tells TT.
Do you want to have it resolved yourself this summer?
"I would probably say that. Just to get it behind me and not have to think about it anymore. It's clear - I might do even better next year and then I'd want the extension then... But ideally I'd just have it over with."
Pelle Larsson has established himself as a hard-working player, extremely strong on defense, during his years in Miami. Last season he was in the starting five in 54 games and also took on more responsibility offensively, scoring a maximum of 28 points in a game and averaging 11.4 over the entire season.
“Thoughts haunt”
At the same time, he knows that there are things to improve, not least three-point shooting, where Larsson's three-point percentage of 32.3 percent is not much to brag about.
"The opponents have a better eye on me now and want to stop my drives first and foremost. Then it will be important for me to improve my shooting, to punish them no matter how they play against me," says Nackasonen.
In other words, it will be hard work from the three-point line this summer.
"I've noticed that it's quite similar when I play golf. My mind sometimes wanders to different things and the more relaxed you can be, the better. Then the body can take over a bit and do what works best."
Larsson also plans to return to Sweden this summer. In early July, World Cup qualifiers against the Czech Republic and Slovenia await.
