Suns beating projections, betting on fit over flash

The Suns keep finding ways to zig while the league expects a zag.

That theme continues with their pursuit of Haywood Highsmith, even if he’s not the headline grab.

Phoenix has been tracking Highsmith for nearly two years, according to Duane Rankin of The Arizona Republic, and is signing the veteran forward to a multiyear deal. Internally, the appeal is simple. Toughness. Competitiveness. Defensive reliability.

Highsmith isn’t a star. That’s the point.

The Suns believe he fits what they’re building culturally, and with a standard roster spot available, the signing makes sense. To make it official, Phoenix is also expected to waive guard Cole Anthony, Rankin reports.

Beating the Projections

This season already qualifies as a win. Phoenix was projected to finish around 31.5 victories. They’re sitting at 32-23, seventh in the West, and just three games out of the third seed.

That hasn’t gone unnoticed.

As Sam Amick of The Athletic writes, owner Mat Ishbia faced plenty of skepticism for leaning into his Michigan State ties early on. Instead of backing off, he doubled down.

Ishbia promoted longtime confidant Brian Gregory to general manager and partnered with CEO Josh Bartelstein to hardwire a work-first culture.

“When people wanted to blame me last time, I wasn’t actually doing it my way,” Ishbia told The Athletic. “Now, I am.”

Ceiling Still Has Limits

The progress is real. So are the constraints.

Phoenix remains asset-light after swinging big for Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal, and Beal’s lingering cap hit continues to squeeze flexibility.

That’s why moves like Highsmith matter. The Suns aren’t chasing shine right now. They’re chasing structure.