The Miami Heat may have another backup free-agent name to keep in the mix, and this one comes with some built-in familiarity.
Haywood Highsmith is expected to be waived by the Phoenix Suns, according to recent reporting. If that happens and he clears waivers, he’ll be free to explore the market - which could open the door to a return to Miami.
That possibility is worth watching if the Heat are still piecing together the roster as training camp gets closer. Highsmith once carved out a role with Miami as a useful bench piece, the kind of player who could do a little of everything even if his upside wasn’t viewed the same way as some of his teammates.
The Heat sent Highsmith to the Brooklyn Nets last summer in what was essentially a salary-dump move. At the time, Miami was setting up what would be remembered as a gap season, and trimming money made sense.
That’s not the situation now. After that gap season, the Heat acquired Giannis Antetokounmpo and are now searching for players who can fit around him. In that context, a reunion with Highsmith starts to look a little more realistic.
Injuries limited Highsmith last season, and after he was moved to Phoenix, he appeared in only seven games. He averaged five points while shooting 52 percent from the field.
Still, his Miami résumé has something going for it. Highsmith’s best season came with the Heat, when he showed he could stay on the floor for 74 games, handle a bigger rotation role with 25 minutes per game, and knock down threes at a 38 percent clip.
He brings value as a versatile defender and a capable shooter, especially over the last three seasons. That makes him the kind of back-end rotation option a team can plug in without needing him to be a featured piece.
Of course, he wouldn’t be the top name on Miami’s board. The Heat would likely look at options such as Klay Thompson, DeMar DeRozan, or even a flier on Bradley Beal before turning to Highsmith.
But if those paths don’t come together and training camp arrives with Miami still needing help, Highsmith could be the kind of practical move that suddenly makes sense.
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