Phoenix Suns Bring Back Forward Haywood Highsmith

The Phoenix Suns kept an eventful offseason going on Monday morning. 

The Suns re-signed forward Haywood Highsmith, who the franchise just waived mere days ago in a move that brought the roster size down to 14.

The release of the three-and-d sharpshooter created speculation around what general manager Brian Gregory had in the cards moving forward. Phoenix had an opportunity to stand pat at the league-minimum mark of 14. They also could have signed another free agent that remains. They could have even opted to explore a trade for a high-profile restricted free agent such as Peyton Watson.

Now, the Suns are bringing back Highsmith, 30, after he appeared in just seven regular season games for the franchise last season. The former Miami Heat standout was released by the Brooklyn Nets on February 5, signing a partially guaranteed two-year deal with the Suns just two weeks later.

The highlight of this run was Highsmith's 16-point performance against the Boston Celtics in a game that the Suns nearly won back in March. The re-signing of Highsmith signals that he now has a guarantee to be on the roster this season rather than his status being in question.

Where do the Suns go next from here?

The Phoenix roster stands at 15, but there is a chance that Jamaree Bouyea is the ultimate casualty of a roster reshuffling by the Suns' front office, although that isn't incredibly likely either.

How does Highsmith fit in the picture as far as Jordan Ott's rotation goes? The Phoenix starting five is overwhelmingly likely to be guards Jalen Green/Devin Booker, forwards Dillon Brooks/Miles Bridges, and center Mark Williams. The straight-up bench rotation of five is fairly likely to be sixth-man Collin Gilleslpie, sharpshooter Luke Kennard, defensive specialist Jordan Goodwin, two-way wing Rasheer Fleming, and either third-year F/C Oso Ighodaro or second-year lottery pick Khaman Maluach.

Rookie first-round pick Koa Peat, third-year forward Ryan Dunn, and Highsmith appear to be the odd men out at the moment. This might not be a permanent arrangement, however, as injuries are likely going to thrust each into regular season minutes that they will have an opportunity to earn beyond the chance that they receive. 

Expect Highsmith to play in a majority of games this season, and to make a marked two-way impact in the minutes he receives, including as a consistent 40% three-point shooter and as a versatile defensive piece.