Pelle Larsson earned a substantial raise with his play last season, but the impact of the four-year extension he recently signed didn’t register right away, Ira Winderman of the Sun-Sentinel writes in a subscriber-only story. The Heat showed their confidence in the third-year shooting guard by giving him $60MM and making him a long-term part of the organization.

“I think I was pretty blank,” Larsson said. “I mean, it was not until later, I think, really, when I talked to my parents that they kind of made me realize how crazy it is. … I’ve been playing basketball for free for mostly my whole life, so to have this now is insane.”

Larsson saw limited playing time as a rookie, but he moved into the starting lineup last season and proved to be worthy of the promotion, averaging 11.4 PPG in 70 games. He quickly impressed new Heat star Giannis Antetokounmpo during offseason workouts and said he got positive feedback from coach Erik Spoelstra and team president Pat Riley during extension talks.

“It was kind of similar things of they’re giving me this extension for a reason, so just keep doing what I’ve been doing and being who I am on the court,” Larsson said. “And, now we’re bringing in some new guys that I think I’m going to fit well with and I can continue to do the same thing, just try to be more efficient in the things I’m doing.”

There’s more from Miami:

• Antetokounmpo is expected to make his Heat debut in tonight’s preseason game against Toronto in Quebec City, according to Winderman (Twitter link), who states that all the team’s projected rotation members are available to play.
• Longtime Heat player Udonis Haslem is now an executive with the team, but even at age 46 he’s been running through drills with the players, according to Anthony Chiang of The Miami Herald (subscriber link). Antetokounmpo and fellow newcomer Bobby Portis said Haslem’s feedback has been valuable. “Me and UD are kind of similar in using our voice and being a leader and things like that, so it’s been fun to have him around,” Portis said. “… Especially in practice, giving me little pointers, trying to pick up on things a little faster. Obviously, I’m new to the system with the cutting and spacing back out and things like that. So I’m trying to get acclimated to it. So I think it’s good to have guys that’s already been here, that know the system, that can help the new guys.”
• Two-way player Tre Donaldson is among the young players who’ve stood out at training camp, Chiang adds in the same piece. The 22-year-old guard, who went undrafted after playing his senior season at Miami, has made an impression on his teammates with his style of play. “He’s just a dog,” Davion Mitchell said. “It kind of reminded me of myself when I was in the league, just trying to figure it out. Playing hard. Still making mistakes, obviously, but you learn from those mistakes. But he’s playing really well with all the confidence in the world. I’m excited to see him grow.”