Apr 28, 2025; Miami, Florida, USA; Miami Heat forward Haywood Highsmith (24) reaches for the basketball to prevent it from going out of bounds against the Cleveland Cavaliers in the second quarter during game four for the first round of the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Kaseya Center. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
GLENDALE – The Phoenix Suns made a few moves around the NBA trade deadline. General manager Brian Gregory traded away Nick Richards and Nigel Hayes-Davis for Amir Coffey just before the deadline and looked to be down ahead of All-Star break. However, the franchise made a rare signing during All-Star weekend, bringing in fifth-year NBA wing Haywood Highsmith for the rest of the year.
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Friday was his first opportunity to speak with the media and took the time to praise his new team, while illustrating what he can add.
Apr 7, 2025; Miami, Florida, USA; Miami Heat forward Haywood Highsmith (24) watches his shot against the Philadelphia 76ers during the second quarter at Kaseya Center. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
Highsmith on this year’s Suns team:
“From playing the Suns this year … I can just tell they play hard, crash the glass, pick up full court — gritty, tough … that fits right in with me.”
Haywood Highsmith is ready to bring MORE grit and toughness to this Suns team 😤 pic.twitter.com/09aHH73e4Y
— PHNX Suns (@PHNX_Suns) February 20, 2026
Key word used by Highsmith was “Gritty.” Examples like Dillon Brooks and Jordan Goodwin fits that word like a glove, and Highsmith wants to be in the same category as those guys when he gets his opportunity. The 29-year-old played four seasons in South Beach under Miami head coach Erik Spoelstra, who is known to cultivate a phrase that has become slightly nauseating in “Heat Culture.”
Dec 7, 2024; Miami, Florida, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) brings the ball up the court against Miami Heat guard Tyler Herro (14) and forward Haywood Highsmith (24) during the first half at Kaseya Center. Mandatory Credit: Jim Rassol-Imagn Images
Regardless of your feeling for the mantra, Highsmith fit in well with Miami because of his energy off the bench defensively and shooting. At 6’5, Highsmith is a combo defender being a pest for smaller guards or bigger wings. Add his 38.8% 3-point shooting on three attempts, and he is the prototypical player in head coach Joran Ott’s system.
Ott values shooting and aggressiveness on the defensive end, Highsmith’s time with the Heat has prepared him for this type of play, which could see him become a bigger part of the rotation as playoffs near.
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Reporter Tanner Tortorella covers general assignment for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @TannerTSports
