As NBA free agency moves through its painfully slow start, the Charlotte Hornets will have some decisions to make, and one of them could revolve around Miami Heat forward Haywood Highsmith.
According to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype, the Hornets are one of five different teams around the league expected to show an interest in Highsmith during free agency. The other five teams are the Detroit Pistons, Utah Jazz, San Antonio Spurs, and Philadelphia 76ers.
Hornets showing interest in Haywood Highsmith in free agency
Highsmith has been in Miami for three full seasons now. He began his NBA career with the Philadelphia 76ers in the 2018-19 season but only appeared in five regular-season games.
After that, he spent two years playing ball on the international stage before the Heat brought him back into the league, and he’s been a quality player for them ever since.
The 6-foot-7, 27-year-old forward has earned significant minutes in each of the past two seasons, having played 17.9 minutes per game during the 2022-23 campaign and 20.7 minutes per game this past year.
Highsmith enjoyed the best season of his young career during the 2023-24 run. He averaged 6.1 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 1.1 assists per game while shooting 46.5% from the field and 39.6% from beyond the three-point arc.
That’s the type of shooting with size that teams should be eager to get their hands on, and Highsmith is a big plus on the defensive side of the ball, too.
For the Hornets, it’s easy to see a world where Highsmith is a perfect fit in their rotation. He’s not a starter-level guy (unless they want to develop him into one), but bringing him and Grant Williams off the bench would be a great game plan.
Meanwhile, the 76ers also make a ton of sense for Highsmith. He probably won’t get a huge payday in free agency, and he would be a perfect rotation piece for them as they look to compete for a title behind Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey.
The Pistons are looking to make the Play-In, so he could give them good minutes, and the same can be said for Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs. Lastly, the Jazz just seem to be interested in everyone.
Highsmith would be a nice get for the Hornets, especially if they don’t have to overpay.