Miami Heat: Haywood Highsmith can help fill P.J. Tucker-sized hole

Miami Heat: Though just summer league, Haywood Highsmith is proving stuff

However, when thinking about what Haywood is accomplishing this far in Summer League action, there’s only one player to which his play can be directly linked. You should look no further than his ex-teammate, P.J. Tucker, who signed a three-year, $33.2 million deal to join the Sixers after ultimately leaving Miami in free agency.

For anyone who truly understood the role and impact Tucker had for the Heat last season, the 13-year NBA veteran’s absence will leave a few gaps. First, he was an NBA champion who became an instant fit with his strong personality.

Secondly and as important, he contributed in ways last year that he hadn’t done across his entire career. As Highsmith stated very recently, he confidently believes that he’s next in line to, not only, improve and become the type of player P.J. was but to also fill his shoes and eventually replace him as the Heat’s starting power forward.

While possessing more of a docile personality, Highsmith does have some positional resemblances to Tucker. With a strong upper frame and a physical profile to deal with larger matchups, you also take solace in the fact that Haywood is much younger and a bit more athletic.

Still, you can just sense that he’s slowly becoming an extension of what P.J. once was. Either way, Highsmith’s play style is encapsulated by a team-first mentality that resembles Tucker’s and this current Summer League performance is only steering him further in that direction.

The window is open for Haywood to replace his former 37-year-old counterpart—and it’s right in his grasp. Though, for what it’s worth, he will have some competition come training camp.

Reserve teammate, Caleb Martin, who just re-signed with Miami, has also advocated for the team’s starting four spot, while previously spending time at the position.

As the NBA offseason continues, much can change for the Miami Heat throughout the next few weeks. Presently in the hot pursuit of acquiring another All-Star caliber player, you shouldn’t expect Miami to veer away from these ongoing rumors anytime soon.

For Highsmith though, none of that truly matters at this point. Here in Summer League, this is his time to showcase what he’s capable of at the professional level.

With the Miami Heat committing to him with a two-year extension (non-guaranteed), he’s starting to do just that and then some.