According to reports, the Phoenix Suns were unable to sign one of the best defensive players in free agency to fill their final roster spot.
According to multiple reports, Haywood Highsmith made the decision to sign a two-year, $11 million contract with the Miami Heat today.
According to Barry Jackson of The Miami Herald, one of the teams interested in him in free agency was the Suns.
Jackson made a post on X: “Bucks and Suns provided minimal offers. Damian Lillard called Haywood to campaign him.
While the Heat remained non-committal with him, it turned out that Heat was fortunate that he did not receive a higher offer elsewhere.
It worked out in his favor; the Heat need his perimeter defense. There are 14 open roster spots.
Since the Suns are operating under the second-tax apron, they can only offer a veteran-minimum contract to a new free agent.
As a result, Miami’s offer was significantly superior to Phoenix’s. Last season, Highsmith, 27, played a career-high 20.7 minutes per game and averaged 6.1 points, including 40% shooting from three-point range, and 3.2 rebounds. After spending two years abroad and in the G League, he has spent the last three seasons with the Heat.
The Suns are still negotiating a Josh Okogie re-signing to fill this final roster spot, according to multiple reports. Kyle Lowry has likewise been named as a possible objective.
Monte Morris, who previously played for the Minnesota Timberwolves, and Mason Plumlee, who previously played for the Los Angeles Clippers, are the only two newcomers to Phoenix with standard contracts.
