The Phoenix Suns have put Haywood Highsmith back on the market, and that gives the Golden State Warriors one more name to weigh as they try to finish off their roster.
According to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype, Phoenix waived Highsmith on Wednesday after signing him to a two-year deal in February. The second season was only partially guaranteed, which allowed the Suns to move on and create an extra roster spot.
Highsmith’s run in Phoenix never really got off the ground. He logged just seven games down the stretch, averaging 13 minutes while putting up 5.4 points and 1.9 rebounds. From deep, he hit eight of his 14 attempts, good for 57.1%.
The move sends him back into free agency after a stretch that has seen his value fluctuate. Highsmith had battled injuries and then saw his role shrink late in his time with the Miami Heat. He was traded to the Brooklyn Nets last summer, didn’t appear in a game for them, and was eventually bought out.
Scotto reported that Highsmith was waived by the Suns and that he was partially guaranteed $1 million of his $3 million salary for the 2026-27 season. In six NBA seasons, the 3-and-D forward has averaged 5.4 points on 38% shooting from 3 and 3.1 rebounds.
Highsmith’s best stretch came in Miami, where he grew into a dependable wing and took part in 18 playoff games during the team’s Jimmy Butler-powered run to the NBA Finals in 2023. Over the next two seasons after that Finals appearance, he averaged 6.3 points and 3.3 rebounds while shooting 38.8% from beyond the arc.
Butler and Highsmith have now logged 149 combined regular-season and playoff games as teammates, which matches the total Butler shared with Warriors general manager Mike Dunleavy Jr. during their time together with the Chicago Bulls.
Golden State is still sorting through wing and forward options with two roster spots left. Georges Niang is reportedly on the Warriors’ radar, but Highsmith’s availability at least adds another candidate to the mix.
There are differences to weigh, too. Highsmith is nearly four years younger than Niang, but neither player has made much of an imprint since the 2024-25 season. Niang missed the pre-All-Star portion of the year with an injury before being waived by the Memphis Grizzlies in February.
For the Warriors, the question is whether Highsmith still offers enough to pull focus away from Niang. And with Butler expected to miss half of next season while recovering from his torn ACL, any old chemistry from their Miami days may not matter much anyway.
Phoenix moving on from Highsmith doesn’t exactly scream breakthrough opportunity. It does, however, leave Golden State with one more chance to consider a familiar face.
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