In a stunning turn of events that’s sending shockwaves through the Bay Area, the Golden State Warriors have suffered another crushing blow in the buyout market. After already missing out on sharpshooter Cam Thomas—who inked a deal with the Milwaukee Bucks—Haywood Highsmith emerged as one of the top remaining targets to bolster the Dubs’ roster. But that hope was shattered when the Phoenix Suns swooped in and locked him up.
ESPN’s Shams Charania dropped the bombshell on Saturday: “Free agent forward Haywood Highsmith has agreed to a multiyear deal with the Phoenix Suns.” Sources revealed that Highsmith weighed offers from several playoff contenders before choosing Phoenix, drawn to a team that’s sitting at 32-23 heading into the All-Star break—just 1.5 games behind the No. 5 seed in the West.
This is a gut punch for Golden State fans. Highsmith, a gritty two-way wing known for his defensive tenacity and timely shooting, could have been the perfect low-risk addition to address the Warriors’ wing depth issues. Sure, the 29-year-old hasn’t suited up this season due to a nagging knee injury, making him a bit of a gamble. But in a buyout landscape with slim pickings, his proven track record made him a no-brainer target.
Flash back to his standout 2024-25 campaign with the Miami Heat: Highsmith averaged 6.5 points and 3.4 rebounds per game, knocking down shots at an efficient 45.8% from the field and 38.2% from beyond the arc. That kind of versatility would have fit seamlessly into Steve Kerr’s system, providing much-needed energy on both ends of the floor.
Now, with Highsmith off the board and heading to the desert, the Warriors are left scrambling. Their options are dwindling fast, forcing them to pivot to lesser-known names in the buyout pool. Will the Dubs recover from this setback, or is this the latest sign of a frustrating offseason? Stay tuned—the buzz in the Bay is only getting louder.