Haywood Highsmith Traded to Nets in Salary Dump, Undergoes Knee Surgery

Forward Haywood Highsmith has been officially traded from the Miami Heat to the Brooklyn Nets in a move allowing Miami to shed salary and get under the luxury tax line. Brooklyn acquired Highsmith and the Heat's 2032 second-round pick in exchange for a top-55 protected 2026 second-round pick, absorbing Highsmith's $5.6 million expiring contract. Highsmith recently underwent knee surgery for a meniscus issue, with an 8-10 week recovery timeline that could make him available for the start of the regular season. Last season with Miami, he averaged 6.5 points and 3.4 rebounds across 72 games, starting 42, and shot 38.2% from beyond the arc.