Phoenix Suns waive Haywood Highsmith and two others

The Phoenix Suns have waived veteran forward Haywood Highsmith, along with Kennedy Chandler and Phillip Wheeler, ahead of their season opener. The decision to waive Highsmith, who was on a non-guaranteed minimum-salary deal, allows the team to manage its finances more effectively. Retaining Highsmith would have cost the Suns approximately $16 million when accounting for combined salary and luxury-tax penalties, as the franchise is above the luxury-tax line.

By waiving Highsmith, the Suns will drop to $7.9 million under their second-apron hard cap. The team plans to keep Jamaree Bouyea, who performed strongly in the preseason, as the 14th man on a non-guaranteed contract. Additionally, the Suns are expected to convert Duop Reath to a two-way contract, a move that will likely necessitate the release of current two-way player CJ Huntley.