Suns sign Heywood Highsmith

[Yuma]

His signing was basically for this seasons, so yes, he'll get run.

Highsmith will get run. We need to see how this season plays out, and who will be staying and going into the following season. That's going to be the fun part of this season. Hopefully we keep our low first round draft pick and pray to get Koa Peat lucky again in the draft. I have no idea what the vision will be until we see what Ott does with his cast this season. I am looking forward to seeing how this all plays out. we have at least three options at each position, so this should be fun!

 

[leclerc]

I liked how he played last year. Nice to get some competition for minutes at the guard position (Goody, Kennard, Dunn, Green).

 

[BooksOrangePlanet]

His signing was basically for this seasons, so yes, he'll get run.

i'm wondering where a healthy highsmith finds himself on the 3andD depth chart

dillon is the clear #1 but after that who knows between fleming dunn and highsmith

 

[Yuma]

i'm wondering where a healthy highsmith finds himself on the 3andD depth chart

dillon is the clear #1 but after that who knows between fleming dunn and highsmith

If last year is any indication, Highsmith was getting leaned on quite a bit minutes wise at the end of the season even though he was coming off knee injury. Last season Ott leaned on the veterans. This season, until we see different, I am thinking Highsmith gets the nod.

 

[BooksOrangePlanet]

This may help explain why the Suns were able to sign Highsmith.

Other teams may have been looking at the now, while the Suns were not rushing it, and thinking about the future.

our patience has absolutely been a virtue - we were fine with maluach still being on the vine - fleming needed to ripen some more as well

the highsmith signing further shows we're finally thinking about this year and the next

 

[Goldfield]

I forgot about Highsmith. I think Fleming is first Forward off the bench, but could see Highsmith playing the 3 after Fleming.

 

[Mainstreet]

our patience has absolutely been a virtue - we were fine with maluach still being on the vine - fleming needed to ripen some more as well

the highsmith signing further shows we're finally thinking about this year and the next

Some of the moves made by the Suns might initially appear impulsive, but they always keep their eye on the horizon.

I like that they never lose sight of the future.

 

[Mainstreet]

I forgot about Highsmith. I think Fleming is first Forward off the bench, but could see Highsmith playing the 3 after Fleming.

Providing the Suns keep Highsmith. I don't believe his contract is fully guaranteed.

 

[Goldfield]

Providing the Suns keep Highsmith. I don't believe his contract is fully guaranteed.

True, but we traded off a lot of 3 point shooting we could use him.

 

[JCSunsfan]

Unless there are injuries, I don’t see minutes for this guy.

 

[BooksOrangePlanet]

Unless there are injuries, I don’t see minutes for this guy.

40% and decent on defense

 

[JCSunsfan]

40% and decent on defense

Whose minutes will he take? There are 96 forward minutes at most. Those have to be split up among Brooks, Bridges, Dunn, Koa and this guy.

 

[clyde2tw]

Highsmith was semi starter on that NBA-finals Miami team a couple years back. He's the RO replacement, better on D, about equal on 3pt shooting, and much cheaper. He was coming back from season-ending injury and showed he can still play the same way. He's our insurance if we manage to get back to playoffs again. Otherwise, he'd get us 1-2 SRPs at trade deadline, as the team'd have his early bird right next off-season.

 

[BooksOrangePlanet]

Whose minutes will he take? There are 96 forward minutes at most. Those have to be split up among Brooks, Bridges, Dunn, Koa and this guy.

suns only have four 3andD types - brooks - fleming - dunn - highsmith

miles and koa can defend but can't be depended on for the 3 - miles and koa are power forwards

3pt shooters are streakier than my ex-wife's panties - nobody is hot all season long plus there will be injuries

highsmith is going to play - how much is the question - also depends on how well fleming and dunn are performing

ott is also good with running two 3andD guys at the same time (at times)

 

[Goldfield]

Whose minutes will he take? There are 96 forward minutes at most. Those have to be split up among Brooks, Bridges, Dunn, Koa and this guy.

Koa and Dunn have to beat him out

 

[JCSunsfan]

Koa and Dunn have to beat him out

He is not ahead of them in the depth chart right now. So, he would have to beat them out. I could see it with Koa. Koa could get a virtual redshirt year, like Maluach got last year.

 

[Yuma]

He is not ahead of them in the depth chart right now. So, he would have to beat them out. I could see it with Koa. Koa could get a virtual redshirt year, like Maluach got last year.

I never trust depth charts past obvious starters. I do know Ott played Highsmith a lot when he could finally play.

 

[SirStefan32]

I would hope he will be a rotation player. Suns lost a lot of shooting with GA and RO leaving. Koa can't shoot to save his life, Bridges and Dunn are not great shooters either, and Kannard can't guard a chair. Highsmith is an outstanding defender, and a very good shooter, with high basketball IQ on top of that. They have to find him minutes. In my mind, Fleming is a backup 4, and Highsmith is a backup 3 who can get some run at the 2 as well. Koa is NOT going to be a rotation player this year. I love Dunn but right now, Highsmith is a more complete player. They need shooting, and Dunn is just a little behind. They need defense, and Kannard can't guard anyone.

Suns can run some interesting lineups with (for example) Goodwin, Highsmith, Dunn, Fleming, and Maluach, where everyone is outstanding defensively, and almost everyone is a competent three-point shooter. In my mind, Collin, Goodie, Highsmith, Fleming, and Maluach are the next five in rotation. Also, there will be some injuries, so everyone is gonna get some time to show what they can do.

 

[JCSunsfan]

I would hope he will be a rotation player. Suns lost a lot of shooting with GA and RO leaving. Koa can't shoot to save his life, Bridges and Dunn are not great shooters either, and Kannard can't guard a chair. Highsmith is an outstanding defender, and a very good shooter, with high basketball IQ on top of that. They have to find him minutes. In my mind, Fleming is a backup 4, and Highsmith is a backup 3 who can get some run at the 2 as well. Koa is NOT going to be a rotation player this year. I love Dunn but right now, Highsmith is a more complete player. They need shooting, and Dunn is just a little behind. They need defense, and Kannard can't guard anyone.

Suns can run some interesting lineups with (for example) Goodwin, Highsmith, Dunn, Fleming, and Maluach, where everyone is outstanding defensively, and almost everyone is a competent three-point shooter. In my mind, Collin, Goodie, Highsmith, Fleming, and Maluach are the next five in rotation. Also, there will be some injuries, so everyone is gonna get some time to show what they can do.

Really? He shot 52% total and 35% from three in college. His three was low volume, but the percentage is still what it is. He tried to change his outside shot for draft workouts and failed miserably, but that is clearly not reflective of his real shooting ability.

Jury is still out on his shooting

 

[leclerc]

Suns can run some interesting lineups with (for example) Goodwin, Highsmith, Dunn, Fleming, and Maluach, where everyone is outstanding defensively, and almost everyone is a competent three-point shooter. In my mind, Collin, Goodie, Highsmith, Fleming, and Maluach are the next five in rotation. Also, there will be some injuries, so everyone is gonna get some time to show what they can do.

I love it. We're not that vulnerable to injuries either when we have so many that can contribute. Coach Ott to play almost everyone all season. I would love them to distribute minutes so we don't wear down Booker, Williams, Green, Brooks and Gillespie like last year.

 

[leclerc]

Really? He shot 52% total and 35% from three in college. His three was low volume, but the percentage is still what it is. He tried to change his outside shot for draft workouts and failed miserably, but that is clearly not reflective of his real shooting ability.

Jury is still out on his shooting

When you look at FT% and number of threes it is not very promising for a good and consistent outside shot, but that does not mean he cannot be valuable. If he can rebound and guard and get into passing lanes and be active and find opportunities on offense he can still demand playing time. He needs to get into the Jeff Hornacek or Eddie Johnson shooting lab though.

 

[Hoop Head]

Haywood is NOT as a SG. He's too slow for that position and lacks the handles as well. He's a Jae Crowder type of forward.