Haywood Highsmith

Haywood Highsmith took the long way in — undrafted in 2018 out of Division II Wheeling Jesuit — and built himself into exactly the kind of wing modern rotations hoard: a forward who guards up a position and knocks down the corner three without needing the ball. He earned real playoff minutes in Miami as a switchable defender, the guy coaches trust with the tougher assignment. His 2025-26 was a gauntlet — a meniscus tear and surgery in August, a salary-driven trade to Brooklyn, a waiver in February, then a multiyear deal with Phoenix that reset his footing. Highsmith's worth was never in the box score; it's in the closeouts, the rotations, and the willingness to defend bigger bodies that never show up on a stat sheet.