NBA Analyst Believes Miami Heat Rotation Player Is One Of League's Best Bargains

NBA writer rates Miami Heat's signing of Haywood Highsmith as one of the best bargains in all of free agency. Former Miami Heat reserve Caleb Martin was also rated as one of the best bargains due to the low annual average value contract he signed with the Philadelphia 76ers.

Scott Salomon | Jul 12, 2024

Apr 19, 2024; Miami, Florida, USA; Chicago Bulls forward DeMar DeRozan (11) drives to the basket past Miami Heat forward Haywood Highsmith (24) in the second quarter during a play-in game of the 2024 NBA playoffs at Kaseya Center. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports / Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports

The Miami Heat's re-signing of forward Haywood Highsmith is considered among the best bargains in the league.

NBA front office insider Bobby Marks of espn.com believes the Heat made the right move in bringing back Highsmith. He also said he was the best available wing defender.

Highsmith signed a two-year pact worth $10.8 million. For the second straight season, the Heat failed to sign an unrestricted free agent.

Marks said once Caleb Martin departed, the Heat were left with no real choice but to re-sign Highsmith. He called the signing aggressive as it does not allow the Heat to sign a 15th player. It will also have ramifications under the CBA and the luxury tax rules.

Highsmith brings defense and toughness. According to Marks and Second Spectrum, he yielded only a 40.3 percent effective field goal percentage last season to the players who were voted to the All-Star teams.

Highsmith averaged 6.1 points, but shoot 39.6 percent from three-point range. He averaged 20.7 minutes off the bench. He should see more playing time with Martin now on the Philadelphia 76ers.

"I talked to other teams, obviously," Highsmith said of the free agency process. "A few made some offers. Some didn't have no offers. They were just interested. It could've went kind of either way but I'm glad to be back with the Miami Heat."

And at a bargain price.

Scott Salomon is a contributor to Inside the Heat. He can be reached at scottsalomon67@gmail.com.

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Published Jul 12, 2024

SCOTT SALOMON

Scott Salomon joined FanNation on Sports Illustrated in April 2024 covering breaking news and analysis for the Miami Dolphins channel. In June he joined Inside the Heat and Back in the Day NBA. Scott is based in South Florida and has been covering the local and national sports scene for 35 years. Scott has covered and has been credentialed for the Super Bowl, the NFL Combine, various Orange Bowls and college football championship games. Scott was also credentialed for the NBA All-Star game and covered the Miami Heat during their first six seasons for USA TODAY. Scott is a graduate of the University of Miami School of Communication and the St. Thomas University School of Law. Scott has two sons and his hobbies include watching sports on television and binge watching shows on various streaming services. Twitter: @ScottSalomonNFL