Suns Waive Haywood Highsmith

That’s still the plan, Gambadoro says, confirming that Phoenix is hanging onto Bouyea and his non-guaranteed contract. The Suns’ other 13 players on standard deals have fully guaranteed salaries for 2026/27.

Highsmith, a six-year NBA veteran known for his length and versatility, re-signed with the Suns on a non-guaranteed minimum-salary contract in August after finishing the 2025/26 season with the club. He was limited to seven outings last season following surgery on a torn meniscus in his right knee.

During Highsmith’s last full season in Miami in 2024/25, he averaged 6.5 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 1.5 assists in 24.6 minutes per night, posting a shooting line of .458/.382/.721 while appearing in 74 games (42 starts).

The decision to waive Highsmith looks like a financially motivated one. The Suns are well over the luxury tax line and are subject to repeater penalties, so hanging onto the swingman would increase their projected payroll (ie. their team salary plus their tax bill) by roughly $16MM.

The Suns will have to make a few more moves to finalize their regular season roster. Based on Gambadoro’s prior reporting, it sounds as if camp invitees Kennedy Chandler and Phillip Wheeler will likely be waived while Duop Reath has his Exhibit 10 contract converted to a two-way deal. Phoenix would have to cut one of its current two-way players to convert Reath, so forward CJ Huntley could be the odd man out.