On Friday, August 15, the Miami Heat traded Haywood Highsmith and a 2031 second-round pick to the Brooklyn Nets. Miami took back a 2026 second-round draft pick as part of the deal.
ESPN’s Shams Charania reported the news via X.
“The Miami Heat have traded Haywood Highsmith and a 2032 second-round pick to the Brooklyn Nets for a protected 2026 second-round pick, sources tell ESPN,” Charania reported. “Brooklyn has remained active in trade conversations as the league’s only team with remaining significant cap space, and takes Highsmith in with an unprotected second-rounder. Nets have also acquired two 1sts this offseason to add to the most 1st and 2nd round picks in the league. Heat shed Highsmith’s salary to lessen their salary bill. Nets send Miami a 2026 second-rounder that is protected 31-55.”
Miami’s decision to trade Highsmith has allowed them to create some financial flexibility. Highsmith’s current contract will see him earn $5.6 million in the upcoming season. Pat Riley’s decision to make the trade follows news that Highsmith recently underwent surgery to repair a meniscus tear.
According to NBA cap expert Keith Smith, Miami’s move has put them far enough under the luxury tax that they can sign a new player to a minimum deal. That should give Riley enough scope to target a veteran contributor who is currently without a team.
Highsmith Due to Miss 8-10 Weeks
On August 8, the Heat reported that Highsmith was set to miss 8-to-10 weeks due to his recent surgery. That would likely be before he began rehabbing his injury and working himself back to full fitness.
Highsmith was previously a key part of Erik Spoelstra’s rotation during the 2024-25 campaign, playing in 74 games and starting 42 of them. Highsmith averaged 6.5 points, 1.5 assists and 3.4 rebounds per game last season. Miami likely valued the two-way production he provided, especially as Spoelstra tends to favor a defense-first approach on the court.
Heat Are Not Expected to Contend
With or without Highsmith, the Heat aren’t expected to be among the contenders in the Eastern Conference this season. In a recent episode of the “All NBA Podcast,” ESPN’s Tim Legler explained why he doesn’t expect the Heat to show much improvement next season, despite the addition of Norman Powell.
“He’s going to bring something to their team because he had his best year of his career offensively,” Legler said. “He’s always been a guy who plays hard defensively. I guess on that alone, maybe you think there’s an uptick because they were at 37 last year. They add Norman Powell, so you think 38.5 should do it. You know what it is for me? I think I’m just a little bit bored with the Heat.”
Legler continued.
“I’m going to go under, and I will probably be wrong on that because they won 37 and they added Norman Powell,” Legler continued. “That alone should be enough, and Kel’el Ware had a very good rookie year. Maybe he just comes out of the gate like a monster.”
Of course, the Heat have proven people wrong before, and have arguably the best head coach in the NBA. It will be interesting to see who Riley adds to the roster on a minimum deal. However, the likelihood is that they don’t move the needle enough to change our view of the Heat’s overall ceiling.
Nevertheless, Miami has enjoyed a strong summer, and trading Highsmith isn’t going to change that.
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