Should the Heat explore bringing back this former ‘3 and D’ player?

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The Miami Heat have deliberately chosen to take the patient approach to fill out the final two-three standard roster spots to conclude their offseason work.

Ideally, Miami is hoping for this patience to ultimately net them Dallas Mavericks’ sharpshooter Klay Thompson— who is still under contract and hasn’t shaken free yet to secure a rumored buyout. It’s been reported that a trade would be Dallas’ preference, but nothing has materialized from that either. Of course, other proven veterans like DeMar DeRozan and Bradley Beal still remain options in unrestricted free agency as well.

The Heat have about $7 million left of their mid-level exception to utilize. The other signing or two, depending on if they unlikely opt to fill all 15 spots rather than their usual 14, would be veteran minimum additions. And one more target that fits that discounted price tag has recently hit the open market in former developed Heat forward Haywood Highsmith.

The Phoenix Suns have waived Haywood Highsmith, league sources told @hoopshype. He was partially guaranteed $1 million of his $3 million salary for the 2026-27 season. The 3-and-D forward has averaged 5.4 points on 38% 3-point shooting and 3.1 rebounds in six NBA seasons.

— Michael Scotto (@MikeAScotto) August 12, 2026

Haywood Highsmith shot 39% from 3-point range across his previous two seasons in Miami.

Highsmith was traded from Miami in a salary cutting move in the 2025 offseason to the Brooklyn Nets. After dealing with injury recovery during his limited time with the Nets, he eventually waived. He joined the Phoenix Suns shortly after as a free agent midseason.

Now the Suns have also opted to waive the 29-year-old wing, thus becoming an unrestricted free agent for the second time this calendar year. It’s unclear whether Miami will have interest in a reunion with Highsmith, but he does fill a need for this current roster— especially for the value at a veteran minimum price tag.

He is familiar with Miami’s system and was one of their undrafted success stories in recent years. Highsmith developed into a reliable 3 and D rotation player under coach Erik Spoelstra, averaging nearly 39% from deep in his combined 2023-24 and 2024-25 campaigns with the Heat. Highsmith was often relegated into defending every opposing team’s top perimeter play and played that role well.

Would you be interested in a reunion with the “Locksmith”? Let us know in the comments below!

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