The The sun gave up the veteran wing Haywood Highsmithaccording to John Gambador of Arizona Sports 98.7 (Link to Twitter), World Health Organization reported earlier that the team will keep Jamari Buyea as the 14th man and leave the 15th spot in the lineup open at the start of the regular season.
That’s still the plan, Gambadora says, confirming Phoenix is hanging on to Buyea and his non-guaranteed contract. The remaining 13 Suns players on standard contracts have their salaries fully guaranteed for 2026/27.
Highsmith, a six-year NBA veteran known for his length and versatility, re-signed with the Suns for a non-guaranteed minimum salary in August after the end of the 2025/26 season with the club. He was limited to seven starts last season after undergoing surgery for a torn meniscus in his right knee.
During Highsmith’s final 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 .458/.382/.721 slash line in 74 games (42 starts).
The decision to drop Highsmith appears to be financially motivated. The Sanz family is well over the luxury tax limit and subject to it repeater penalties, so sticking with the swingman would increase their projected payroll (i.e., team salary plus tax) by about $16 million.
The Suns will have to make a few more moves to complete their regular season roster. Based on Gambador’s previous posts, it sounds like they are invited to the camp Kennedy Chandler and Philip Wheeler will probably be canceled for now Duop Rit has an Annex 10 contract converted into a bilateral transaction. Phoenix would have to give up one of their current two-way players to convert Rito, so go ahead CJ Huntley can be a strange person.
