Haywood Highsmith is off the Phoenix Suns roster as of Sunday, Oct. 18, confirmed by the official roster. The move follows a Saturday report that the Suns had waived him.
The move
Highsmith, 29, a forward entering his seventh season, is no longer on the Phoenix Suns roster as of Sunday, Oct. 18, per the official roster. The move follows a Saturday, Oct. 17 report from John Gambadoro, "Suns Waive Haywood Highsmith," carrying 50% confidence. The roster change confirms that report's substance a day later.
The money
Highsmith carried a $3.4 million cap hit for 2026-27 on his contract as filed. The Suns' books for 2026-27 show $216.2 million in payroll across 18 contracts, over the first apron. The cap is set at $165.0 million, the tax line at $200.4 million, the first apron at $209.0 million and the second apron at $221.7 million. No update to those payroll figures tied to this move is on file yet.
The fit
Highsmith played seven games last season for Phoenix, averaging 13.0 minutes, 5.4 points, 1.9 rebounds and 1.0 assist. The Suns' forward spots last season were led by Dillon Brooks at 30.4 minutes and 20.2 points and Royce O'Neale at 28.4 minutes and 9.8 points. Phoenix's roster stands at 18 players, the standard limit of 15 plus three two-way slots.
Was Haywood Highsmith traded or waived?
He is off the Suns roster as of Sunday, Oct. 18. A Saturday, Oct. 17 report from John Gambadoro said the Suns waived him, at 50% confidence; no trade is noted.
What did Highsmith make on his contract?
His filed cap hit for 2026-27 was $3.4 million.
Where do the Suns stand on the cap after this?
As filed, Phoenix carries $216.2 million in payroll across 18 contracts for 2026-27, over the first apron of $209.0 million. No post-move update to that figure is on file yet.
How many players are on the Suns roster now?
The roster shows 18 players, the standard limit of 15 plus three two-way slots.