Warriors Eye Haywood Highsmith as Prime Buyout Target for Final Roster Spot

With the Golden State Warriors officially converting Pat Spencer from a two-way contract to a standard deal, the franchise still has one open roster spot heading into the stretch run of the season. Following last week’s trade deadline — which shook up the roster and left the team thin at forward — all eyes have turned to the buyout market.

The pool this year is unusually thin, but one name keeps surfacing among Warriors fans and league analysts: Haywood Highsmith.

And there are several reasons he may be the most logical, most realistic, and most needed option for Golden State.

Highsmith Hits the Market After Nets Waive Him

Highsmith, who was traded last offseason from the Miami Heat to the Brooklyn Nets, never suited up for Brooklyn due to meniscus surgery. After the deadline, the Nets waived him, allowing the veteran forward to enter free agency and sign with a playoff contender.

At 29 years old, Highsmith brings exactly what the Warriors are missing: playoff-tested, switchable defense and reliable three-point shooting.

But the need is even more urgent given the Warriors’ current roster situation.

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Warriors’ Forward Depth Has Collapsed

Golden State’s depth at both forward positions has been gutted over the past month:

• Jimmy Butler — acquired in the blockbuster deal — suffered a season-ending knee injury.

• Jonathan Kuminga was traded to the Boston Celtics in exchange for Kristaps Porzingis, adding size but removing their best young wing.

• Andrew Wiggins has been in and out of the lineup all season.

• Draymond Green, while still impactful, is no longer a full-time wing defender and is being used more situationally.

That leaves Golden State with exactly zero dependable rotation forwards outside of Wiggins — an untenable situation for a team chasing a playoff berth.

This is where Highsmith makes perfect sense.

Why Highsmith Fits the Warriors’ Immediate Needs

Highsmith developed into a trusted rotation wing under Erik Spoelstra in Miami. His resume includes:

• 6.5 points per game

• 3.4 rebounds

• 1.9 assists

• 1.0 steals

• 45.8% FG / 38.2% from three

• Nearly 25 minutes per game across 66 appearances last season

He also has strong playoff experience, especially alongside Jimmy Butler, sharing the court with him 150 times — more than all but 15 teammates in Butler’s career.

The Warriors value players who excel at:

• Perimeter defense

• Rotations and help defense

• High-motor play style

• Corner three efficiency

• Versatility against wings and power forwards

Highsmith checks every box — and at 6’7″ with a proven defensive pedigree, he fits Steve Kerr’s system better than almost anyone else available.

The Only Question: Is Highsmith Healthy Enough?

As with most buyout candidates, the concern is simple: health.

Highsmith underwent meniscus surgery, and it remains unclear whether he is fully cleared for a heavy rotational workload. The Warriors have been burned before by signing players still recovering from injury, and Golden State’s margin for error is razor-thin given their fight for the play-in.

However, if medical evaluations look clean, Highsmith instantly becomes one of the best value additions available.

Lonzo Ball? Warriors May Not Be Interested After All

Earlier reports linked the Warriors to Lonzo Ball, who was waived by the Utah Jazz and became one of the most intriguing buyout names on the market despite his long injury history.

But according to NBA insider Marc Stein, Golden State may be backing away:

“There were some fresh rumbles over the weekend that the Warriors might opt not to sign Lonzo Ball in the end after converting Pat Spencer from a two-way deal to a standard NBA contract.”

If the Warriors are indeed out on Ball, that significantly narrows the list of viable free-agent candidates — making Highsmith an even stronger favorite.

So Is Highsmith the Favorite? Yes — But Only If Healthy

With needs at both forward spots, limited cap flexibility, and a shrinking buyout market, Highsmith ticks nearly every box Golden State is looking for:

• Defense

• Versatility

• Size

• Experience

• Floor spacing

• Playoff readiness

His connection to Butler is no longer relevant since Butler is out for the season, but his Heat playoff experience still holds weight.

The real key is whether Highsmith can immediately contribute. If he can — the Warriors may have found the perfect low-cost solution to their depth crisis.