The Miami Heat are bringing back Haywood Highsmith.
Highsmith, 27, will sign a two-year, $11 million deal to return to the Heat, as first reported by ESPN. The deal is fully guaranteed and does not include any options.
The Heat now have 14 players on standard contracts and are a hair below the second apron, meaning – unless something changes with the roster – we’re probably done here when it comes to Miami signing free agents.
The Heat opted to sign Highsmith after Caleb Martin signed with the Philadelphia 76ers and DeMar DeRozan agreed to a sign-and-trade that sent him to the Sacramento Kings. Highsmith wanted to remain in Miami and now he’s under contract for two more seasons.
Highsmith averaged 6.1 points, 3.2 rebounds, 1.1 assists and 0.8 steals in 20.7 minutes per game. He provided high-level defense and shot nearly 40% on 3s. With Martin gone, he should see more of an opportunity to play.
Where does this leave the Heat roster?
With 14 players under contract and not enough room to sign another without going over the second tax apron, the Heat’s roster looks complete.
Here’s a look at the projected depth chart if the Heat don’t make any trades between now and the start of the season:
PG: Terry Rozier / Alec Burks
SG: Tyler Herro / Duncan Robinson / Josh Richardson / Pelle Larsson
SF: Jimmy Butler / Jaime Jaquez Jr.
PF: Nikola Jovic / Haywood Highsmith
C: Bam Adebayo / Kevin Love / Kel’el Ware / Thomas Bryant
The Heat also have guards Dru Smith and Zyon Pullin, and forward Keshad Johnson on two-way contracts.