Earlier today, Michael Scotto of HoopsHype revealed on X that the Phoenix Suns have waived Haywood Highsmith. The 29-year-old forward was picked up by the Suns in mid-February after he was cut from the Brooklyn Nets. He signed in Phoenix for a reported two-year deal worth about $3.85 million. However as the Scotto report would note, only $1 million of that salary was partially guaranteed for the 2026-27 season.
A veteran of six NBA seasons, Highsmith is perhaps most famously one of the “Heat Culture” uncut gem finds as he spent a lengthy stint in South Beach from 2021 to 2025. Overall, Haywood Highsmith has averaged 5.4 points per game on 45.0 percent shooting from the field, including an impressive 37.9 percent from three-point range, along with 3.1 rebounds per game in his career.
Now free to sign anywhere on the open market, I’d expect Highsmith to have a long list of suitors itching to bolster their roster depth. Just off the top of my head, I would imagine his former Heat squad would entertain a reunion, or the equally eager 76ers, while out West, teams like the Warriors, Lakers or Wolves stick out as potential landing spots.
It goes without saying that 3-and-D forwards, those “glue guys” that come out with high energy and relentless motors are invaluable in the modern NBA. Teams are eager to add players of this archetype, and Highsmith fits that description perfectly. Acquiring someone like him for pennies on the dollar is a luxury no team should overlook.
And on that point, it’s exactly why the Toronto Raptors need to be all over a target like Haywood Highsmith.
Haywood Highsmith would be a seamless fit on the Toronto Raptors
Toronto would likely have their work cut out for them, considering Highsmith could spark a mini race to acquire him. However, the Raptors’ chances and fit don’t seem completely out of the question. For starters, as I mentioned earlier, the Raptors are usually very enamored by players like Highsmith — versatile wings who can guard the perimeter, don't demand a ton of shots, hit the three-ball effectively, and contribute to winning in multiple ways.
Toronto is still waiting to finalize their Kawhi Leonard trade, and while that major move is on hold, they’ve certainly added players to help foster that buy-in for guys of that profile: Kyle Anderson and Allen Graves. Aside from these new additions, there’s still Scottie Barnes, Ja’Kobe Walter, and maybe to a different player-type degree, Collin Murray-Boyles — all contributing on that front, with Scottie B. and his expected soon-to-be co-star, The Klaw, leading the charge.
Adding Highsmith could give the Raptors another wily veteran, providing a different dynamic than Kyle Anderson. While SloMo can slot in as a small-ball five option, Highsmith fits the more traditional combo forward role. He doesn't even need to play heavy minutes or take away shine from the others, but a reliable presence to count on if the Raptors need to delve deeper into their bench.
The potential downside to adding Highsmith is his injury history. He underwent surgery last summer to fix a meniscus tear, which sidelined him for most of the 2025-26 season, limiting him to just seven games with the Suns. However, he was able to return to full health, and barring an expensive price tag (which I think is unlikely regardless of whether the Raptors sign him or another team does), he remains a low-risk, low-cost, high-reward target.
Toronto could surely look to add him on a veteran minimum deal, in spite of their current financial challenges, but the lingering threat of other suitors coming out with more competitive pitches is the main issue here. We’ll just have to watch and see where the 29-year-old vet decides to sign.
Add us as a preferred source on Google