The Suns have had their eyes on Haywood Highsmith for a while now-two years, to be exact-and it looks like that long-standing interest is finally turning into a commitment. Sources say the veteran forward is expected to sign a multiyear deal with Phoenix, and the fit makes sense. The Suns value Highsmith’s competitiveness and toughness, two traits that align well with the culture they’ve been building under new leadership.
Phoenix has a standard roster spot available to bring Highsmith aboard, but they’re also expected to make room by waiving guard Cole Anthony. That move would clear the way for Highsmith to join a team that’s already outperforming expectations this season.
Let’s take a step back and appreciate where the Suns are right now. They were projected by many to be a sub-.500 team, pegged at just 31.5 wins before the season began.
Fast forward to mid-February, and they’re sitting at 32-23, good for the No. 7 seed in the West and just three games behind the third spot. That’s not just a bounce back-it’s a statement.
A lot of credit for that turnaround goes to the front office reshuffle last offseason. Owner Mat Ishbia, who took heat early on for leaning into his Michigan State connections, didn’t back down-he doubled down.
He promoted Brian Gregory, a former Spartans assistant, to general manager, and teamed him up with CEO Josh Bartelstein to help shape the Suns’ identity. The result?
A gritty, hard-nosed group that’s playing with purpose.
“When people wanted to blame me last time, I wasn’t actually doing it my way,” Ishbia said recently. “Now, I am, and there’s no question about it.” That quote tells you everything you need to know about how Ishbia is steering the ship now-with full conviction and a clear vision.
One of the more interesting nuggets from the past year involves the Suns’ pursuit of Kevin Durant. While James Jones still held the title of head of basketball operations at the time, it was Bartelstein who reportedly led the trade conversations with other teams.
According to league sources, the Rockets made a late push for Durant before last year’s deadline, floating a package that included Jalen Green and Jabari Smith Jr. Phoenix, however, wanted Dillon Brooks in return and ultimately decided to hold off until the summer.
A Rockets source later disputed that Smith was ever in the offer, but the key takeaway here is that the Suns were patient-and strategic.
That patience has paid off in some ways, but it’s also come at a cost. Phoenix is still feeling the squeeze from the draft capital they gave up to land Durant and Bradley Beal.
The team is short on assets and locked into some tough financial commitments, including Beal’s dead-money cap hit that will linger for several seasons. That’s the price of going all-in, and the Suns are now navigating the consequences.
Still, the vibe around the team is strong. Devin Booker, the face of the franchise and a perennial All-Star, spoke glowingly about playing alongside Dillon Brooks this season.
“Dillon is a hardworking man. He’s someone to rally behind.
He’s a fierce competitor,” Booker said. “I wouldn’t want it any other way.
I’d rather too competitive than to be the other way. It’s been a pleasure playing with him.”
That kind of endorsement from Booker speaks volumes. Brooks has brought an edge to the team-something Phoenix has embraced as part of its identity. It’s not always pretty, but it’s effective, and it’s helped fuel a midseason surge that’s put the Suns firmly in the playoff picture.
Looking ahead, the city of Phoenix is set to host the 2027 NBA All-Star Game, a spotlight moment that Commissioner Adam Silver touched on during his Saturday press conference. It’s another sign that the Suns, both on and off the court, are becoming a bigger part of the league’s narrative.
So yes, the Suns still have hurdles to clear-limited flexibility, a thin asset chest, and a Western Conference that doesn’t give anyone a night off. But they’ve built something resilient. And with players like Booker leading the charge, and additions like Highsmith reinforcing the foundation, this team isn’t just surviving-they’re evolving.