8. Haywood Highsmith
- Contract: 3 years / $3,945,742
- 2023-24 Salary: $1,315,247
Highsmith's emergence this season marks another undrafted success story for the Heat.
Now in his fourth NBA season, he is achieving career-high statistics in points (8.1 per game), assists (1.4), steals (1.3), blocks (1), and minutes (26.1). Notably, he has consistently played double-digit minutes in every game he has been available for this season, a significant change from his limited playing time in the previous season. During the 2022-23 season, the 26-year-old averaged 4.4 points on 43.1% shooting and 3.5 rebounds in 17.9 minutes per game. He played in 54 games, starting 11 of them.
Highsmith's impact extended into the playoffs, where he delivered standout performances. Notably, he scored 15 points in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Boston Celtics and followed it up with 18 points in Game 1 of the NBA Finals against the Denver Nuggets. Despite playing limited minutes per game in the postseason (8.9), he displayed remarkable efficiency, shooting 61.5% from the field.
Offensively, Highsmith's primary role is to provide floor spacing with his 3-point shooting, However, he is a two-way player who has solidified himself as one of the best perimeter defenders on the Heat. Spoelstra has recognized Highsmith as a "winning player," further highlighting his value to Miami's roster.
But because Highsmith is a restricted free agent after the season, the Heat could seek to capitalize on his value now. He could also be included in a larger deal for Mitchell or another star.