The Heat are guaranteeing the contract of forward Haywood Highsmith for the 2023-24 season, agent Jerry Dianis told Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.
Highsmith signed a three-year, $3.9 million contract with Miami in 2021. The $1.9 million for this season is set to become guaranteed on July 15. The Heat could’ve released Highsmith before that date and avoided the salary.
But Highsmith has proven to be on the rise, especially last season, after going undrafted out of Division II Wheeling University in West Virginia.
Highsmith, 26, is 6-foot-7 and appeared in 54 games last season — as well as 18 in the playoffs. A native of Baltimore, he averaged 5.4 points and 3.5 rebounds in 2022-23.
He began his NBA career as a rookie with the 76ers in 2018 and has spent plenty of time in the G League. Clearly, the latter has served him well.
The Miami Heat are guaranteeing forward Haywood Highsmith’s contract for the 2023-2024 season, per his agent Jerry Dianis. Highsmith has a July 15 guarantee date.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 13, 2023
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