The Suns are cutting ties with Haywood Highsmith, according to HoopsHype's Mike Scotto, opening up a roster spot as Phoenix keeps tinkering with its roster ahead of the season.
It's a quick turn for Highsmith in Phoenix. He landed with the Suns back in February after getting released by the Nets, and he only ended up appearing in 7 games with the team, averaging 5.4 points and 1.9 rebounds in 13 minutes a night. A knee surgery during the 2025 offseason limited his availability and never really let him carve out a role.
According to Scotto, Highsmith was only partially guaranteed $1 million of his $3 million salary for 2026-27, which made him an easy financial cut for a Suns front office still shuffling depth pieces on the wing. Over 6 NBA seasons, Highsmith has settled in as a low-usage 3-and-D specialist, shooting 38% from three on his career, though he never got the minutes in Phoenix to show it off.
For Phoenix, this is roster math more than anything dramatic. Waiving Highsmith clears a spot and some breathing room under the cap as the front office keeps massaging the depth chart heading into training camp.
Highsmith will hit unrestricted free agency once he clears waivers, giving him a shot to catch on somewhere that can actually use a healthy 3-and-D wing. For a guy who's bounced around the league looking for a real foothold, this is just the next stop.