In addition to players like Kevin Love, Caleb Martin, and Thomas Bryant choosing not to exercise their player options, the Miami Heat are hopeful that Haywood Highsmith will remain on the team during this pivotal offseason and free agency. It won’t be a simple procedure, though, as several other teams in the league are anticipated to show interest in him.
NBA free agency is scheduled to start at 6 p.m. (EST) on Sunday. Teams from Miami and elsewhere will try to convince Highsmith, 27, to sign a new contract. According to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype, there is “stiff competition” from other teams in the league, including the Philadelphia 76ers, who are rivals in the Eastern Conference, and others, even if a deal with the Heat seems inevitable.
Scotto stated, “However, Miami is anticipated to face fierce competition for Highsmith’s services on the open market.” League sources tell HoopsHype that “teams with significant cap space, like the Detroit Pistons, Charlotte Hornets, Utah Jazz, San Antonio Spurs, and Philadelphia 76ers, are expected to register interest in Highsmith once free agency begins.”
“There are multiple teams that have mid-level non-taxpayer exceptions available,” Scotto said. League insiders tell HoopsHype that teams like the Indiana Pacers, Sacramento Kings, and possibly the Golden State Warriors—whose fate would hinge on the careers of Andrew Wiggins, Chris Paul, and Klay Thompson—are also anticipated to express interest in signing Highsmith.