Overview
- The Suns waived Haywood Highsmith on Wednesday, creating an open roster spot and removing him from the team’s active roster.
- Highsmith will clear waivers and become an unrestricted free agent on Friday if no team claims his contract.
- Phoenix is on the hook for a $1.0 million partial guarantee of Highsmith’s roughly $3.0 million 2026–27 deal unless another club claims him on waivers.
- The transaction drops the Suns below the second-apron hard cap, leaves them with 14 players on standard contracts, and cuts their projected luxury-tax bill by about $11 million.
- Highsmith’s limited availability after a right-knee meniscus surgery and rehab setback reduced his playing time to seven regular-season games for Phoenix, which makes the waiver a move for roster flexibility and financial management.