Suns waive veteran wing Haywood Highsmith, keeping Jamaree Bouyea as 14th man

The Phoenix Suns have waived veteran wing Haywood Highsmith, according to reporter John Gambadoro. Phoenix will keep Jamaree Bouyea as its 14th man on a non-guaranteed contract and open the regular season with its 15th roster spot vacant.

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

In his last full season with Miami in 2024-25, Highsmith averaged 6.5 points, 3.4 rebounds and 1.5 assists in 24.6 minutes per game across 74 appearances, including 42 starts, while shooting 45.8 percent from the field and 38.2 percent from three.

The decision appears financially motivated. The Suns are well over the luxury tax line and face repeater penalties, so keeping Highsmith would have added roughly $16 million to their projected payroll once the tax bill is included.

Phoenix still has moves to make before the regular season. Camp invitees Kennedy Chandler and Phillip Wheeler are expected to be waived, while Duop Reath’s Exhibit 10 contract is likely to be converted to a two-way deal. That conversion would require cutting one of the Suns’ current two-way players, with forward CJ Huntley the candidate to lose his spot.