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With the Golden State Warriors<\/span><\/span><\/strong> officially converting Pat Spencer<\/span><\/span><\/strong> from a two-way contract to a standard deal, the franchise still has one open roster spot<\/strong> heading into the stretch run of the season. Following last week\u2019s trade deadline \u2014 which shook up the roster and left the team thin at forward \u2014 all eyes have turned to the buyout market<\/strong>.<\/p>\n The pool this year is unusually thin, but one name keeps surfacing among Warriors fans and league analysts: Haywood Highsmith<\/span><\/span><\/strong>.<\/p>\n And there are several reasons he may be the most logical<\/em>, most realistic<\/em>, and most needed<\/em> option for Golden State.<\/p>\n Highsmith, who was traded last offseason from the Miami Heat<\/span><\/span><\/strong> to the Brooklyn Nets<\/span><\/span><\/strong>, never suited up for Brooklyn due to meniscus surgery<\/strong>. After the deadline, the Nets waived him, allowing the veteran forward to enter free agency and sign with a playoff contender.<\/p>\n At 29 years old<\/strong>, Highsmith brings exactly<\/em> what the Warriors are missing: playoff-tested, switchable defense and reliable three-point shooting.<\/p>\n But the need is even more urgent given the Warriors\u2019 current roster situation.<\/p>\n Golden State\u2019s depth at both forward positions has been gutted over the past month:<\/p>\n Jimmy Butler<\/span><\/span><\/strong> \u2014 acquired in the blockbuster deal \u2014 suffered a season-ending knee injury<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Jonathan Kuminga<\/span><\/span><\/strong> was traded to the Boston Celtics<\/span><\/span><\/strong> in exchange for Kristaps Porzingis<\/span><\/span><\/strong>, adding size but removing their best young wing.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Andrew Wiggins<\/strong> has been in and out of the lineup all season.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Draymond Green<\/strong>, while still impactful, is no longer a full-time wing defender and is being used more situationally.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n That leaves Golden State with exactly zero<\/strong> dependable rotation forwards outside of Wiggins \u2014 an untenable situation for a team chasing a playoff berth.<\/p>\n This is where Highsmith makes perfect sense.<\/p>\n Highsmith developed into a trusted rotation wing under Erik Spoelstra in Miami. His resume includes:<\/p>\n 6.5 points per game<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n 3.4 rebounds<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n 1.9 assists<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n 1.0 steals<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n 45.8% FG \/ 38.2% from three<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n Nearly 25 minutes per game<\/strong> across 66 appearances last season<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n He also has strong playoff experience, especially alongside Jimmy Butler<\/strong>, sharing the court with him 150 times<\/strong> \u2014 more than all but 15 teammates in Butler\u2019s career.<\/p>\n The Warriors value players who excel at:<\/p>\n Perimeter defense<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Rotations and help defense<\/p>\n<\/li>\n High-motor play style<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Corner three efficiency<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Versatility against wings and power forwards<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n Highsmith checks every box \u2014 and at 6’7″ with a proven defensive pedigree, he fits Steve Kerr\u2019s system better than almost anyone else available.<\/p>\n As with most buyout candidates, the concern is simple: health.<\/p>\n Highsmith underwent meniscus surgery<\/strong>, 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\u2019s margin for error is razor-thin given their fight for the play-in.<\/p>\n However, if medical evaluations look clean, Highsmith instantly becomes one of the best value additions<\/strong> available.<\/p>\n Earlier reports linked the Warriors to Lonzo Ball<\/span><\/span><\/strong>, who was waived by the Utah Jazz<\/span><\/span><\/strong> and became one of the most intriguing buyout names on the market despite his long injury history.<\/p>\n But according to NBA insider Marc Stein<\/span><\/span><\/strong>, Golden State may be backing away:<\/p>\n \u201cThere 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.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n If the Warriors are indeed out on Ball, that significantly narrows the list of viable free-agent candidates \u2014 making Highsmith an even stronger favorite.<\/p>\n With needs at both forward spots, limited cap flexibility, and a shrinking buyout market, Highsmith ticks nearly every box Golden State is looking for:<\/p>\n Defense<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Versatility<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Size<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Experience<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Floor spacing<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Playoff readiness<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n His connection to Butler is no longer relevant since Butler is out for the season, but his Heat playoff experience<\/strong> still holds weight.<\/p>\n The real key is whether Highsmith can immediately contribute. If he can \u2014 the Warriors may have found the perfect low-cost solution to their depth crisis.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" 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… <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":151624,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-151620","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-nba"],"yoast_head":"\n
\nHighsmith Hits the Market After Nets Waive Him<\/h2>\n
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<\/div>\n\n\n6<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nWarriors\u2019 Forward Depth Has Collapsed<\/h2>\n
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\nWhy Highsmith Fits the Warriors\u2019 Immediate Needs<\/h2>\n
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\nThe Only Question: Is Highsmith Healthy Enough?<\/h2>\n
\nLonzo Ball? Warriors May Not Be Interested After All<\/h2>\n
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\nSo Is Highsmith the Favorite? Yes \u2014 But Only If Healthy<\/h2>\n
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