The Philadelphia 76ers still have a roster spot sitting open, and while they can’t fill it just yet, that could change in a few months - or sooner, if the team makes another move. That makes Haywood Highsmith a name worth circling now that the Suns have waived him.
Phoenix’s decision, first reported by Hoops Hype’s Michael Scotto, suddenly pushed a proven three-and-D wing onto the market. For a Sixers team that could still use a low-usage player who can make an impact without needing the ball, Highsmith fits the kind of role that tends to matter once the rotation tightens up.
Highsmith’s availability comes with some recent injury baggage. He played only seven games last season because of injuries, but his broader track record still carries weight. In his last full season, the 2024-25 campaign with the Heat, he remained a productive piece.
The appeal is easy to see. Highsmith is a career 38 percent shooter who brings far more on defense than his frame suggests. He’s the sort of player who doesn’t need a featured role to influence a game, because his value comes from switching, defending and knocking down enough perimeter shots to keep the floor open.
There’s also a financial angle here. Since he’s already set to collect money from his partially guaranteed contract, Highsmith and his camp would likely be open to a veteran’s minimum deal. That could give Philadelphia a clean path to add him later, either when the timing works or if the team clears another opening.
The Sixers already made one useful move by signing Dean Wade, a decision that added to an already crowded group of high-usage stars. Highsmith would serve a different purpose. He’d be insurance, a connective piece who does the little things and doesn’t mind staying in the background.
Philadelphia’s lineup is already among the league’s strongest, but another three-and-D option never hurts. With Highsmith now available at a bargain price, the Sixers should keep a close watch.
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