Haywood Highsmith
With the NBA trade deadline having passed, teams that are in a contending spot will need to look at free agency to sign players to help improve the team. One recently waived player that teams could end up looking to sign is Haywood Highsmith.

*Prediction*

With Highsmith now available after being bought out by the Brooklyn Nets, the team that can look to sign him is the Los Angeles Lakers.

Key Takeaways

The Lakers are interested in Haywood Highsmith from the Brooklyn Nets.
Highsmith is recovering from a meniscus tear suffered in August.
His potential availability depends on his recovery and resolution of knee issues.

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Los Angeles Lakers Signing Haywood Highsmith

The Los Angeles Lakers, holding one open roster spot and potentially limited cap space due to the NBA’s new hard salary cap, are looking at players who may become available via the buyout market. According to reports, Haywood Highsmith is a name on their radar. His addition would depend on his ability to fully recover from a torn meniscus he sustained in August, which has kept him sidelined for the current season.

Haywood Highsmith, a 6’5 forward with a seven-foot wingspan, has demonstrated capability on both ends of the floor. He boasts a career three-point accuracy of 37.4% and has shown defensive versatility, capable of guarding multiple positions. His previous tenure with the Miami Heat saw him break out as a reliable contributor.

However, the primary concern for any team considering him is his health and readiness to contribute immediately after his surgery and subsequent rehab setbacks.

Highsmith would be the ideal target for the Lakers at this point in the season. The Lakers need a 3-and-D wing, and Highsmith would be able to provide that for Los Angeles upon signing him.

Overall the one thing that could hold Los Angeles back by the time the playoffs roll around is the their lack of defense. Highsmith would be their best option to fix this area at this point in the season if they want to make sure they can win the NBA Finals with the duo of LeBron James and Luka Doncic, signing a defensive player like Haywood Highsmith is how they can accomplish this.

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