Suns sign Heywood Highsmith

[Phrazbit]

I've been biting my tongue on the Sochan talk because I like mainstreet, he's a good dude, and I know he loves his power forwards... but Sochan Sosucks.

He's bad at every phase of the game, he can't shoot, he doesn't defend, he doesn't rebound, he's one of those guys who when your team has a total lapse on a play and you're like "how the hell did we leave that guy open?", you watch the replay and it's Sochan just got lost and covered no one.

The Spurs flat out waived him, the Knicks sign him afterwards, gave him minutes for a few games, then super glued him to their bench.

He's going to be playing in the Philippine league or something in a year or 2.

I would take Highsmith over him every day of the week and I am not surprised we waived Highsmith.

 

[Hoop Head]

I've been biting my tongue on the Sochan talk because I like mainstreet, he's a good dude, and I know he loves his power forwards... but Sochan Sosucks.

He's bad at every phase of the game, he can't shoot, he doesn't defend, he doesn't rebound, he's one of those guys who when your team has a total lapse on a play and you're like "how the hell did we leave that guy open?", you watch the replay and it's Sochan just got lost and covered no one.

The Spurs flat out waived him, the Knicks sign him afterwards, gave him minutes for a few games, then super glued him to their bench.

He's going to be played in the Philippine league or something in a year or 2.

I would take Highsmith over him every day of the week and I am not surprised we waived Highsmith.

I can't speak for @Mainstreet but your ability to somehow make me laugh even when you're tearing into someone else's opinion is second to none. It doesn't ever seem mean spirited towards the poster either as it's usually the player who is made the butt of the joke. Sochan Sosucks is fantastic.

As long as you don't attack Precious Achuiwa though I believe MS can handle it.

 

[Yuma]

Westbrook retired.

I can't picture us, or anyone, signing Simmons.

Last I heard Westbrook was negotiating a contract with an Israeli team.

 

[Mainstreet]

I've been biting my tongue on the Sochan talk because I like mainstreet, he's a good dude, and I know he loves his power forwards... but Sochan Sosucks.

He's bad at every phase of the game, he can't shoot, he doesn't defend, he doesn't rebound, he's one of those guys who when your team has a total lapse on a play and you're like "how the hell did we leave that guy open?", you watch the replay and it's Sochan just got lost and covered no one.

The Spurs flat out waived him, the Knicks sign him afterwards, gave him minutes for a few games, then super glued him to their bench.

He's going to be playing in the Philippine league or something in a year or 2.

I would take Highsmith over him every day of the week and I am not surprised we waived Highsmith.

First, let me point out, this is not about Sochan versus Highsmith. I like Highsmith as a player when healthy but he is not a power forward although he can give spot duty there. However, comparing Jeremy Sochan to Haywood Highsmith right now is a no-brainer when you look at the full picture.

Sochan just turned 23 in May and is an NBA Champion (2026) who recently signed with the Portland Trail Blazers on a minimum deal. He’s a true 6'8" power forward with high upside, still developing his game after being stuck behind a logjam in San Antonio.

On the flip side, Highsmith is 29, has no championship pedigree, and was just waived by the Phoenix Suns because he can’t stay healthy and salary restraints. He’s been battling a torn meniscus in his right knee since August 2025, playing only seven regular-season games last year.

At 6'5", he’s not even a true power forward, he’s a wing player whose value relies entirely on being a '3-and-D' guy, which is impossible when he’s sidelined with recurring knee swelling.

 

[Mainstreet]

Again, I love Highsmith for his defense and grit. And wouldn't mind having him back on the roster but here is the reality.

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[Superbone]

Sochan just turned 23 in May and is an NBA Champion (2026) who recently signed with the Portland Trail Blazers on a minimum deal.

Come on, man. Maybe by proxy. Like Phrazbit said, he was glued to the bench for the Knicks.

 

[Mainstreet]

Come on, man. Maybe by proxy. Like Phrazbit said, he was glued to the bench for the Knicks.

Some players are just entering the NBA at 23.

 

[Hoop Head]

Come on, man. Maybe by proxy. Like Phrazbit said, he was glued to the bench for the Knicks.

There's a lot to be said for championship pedigree. When you're adding 11-15 roster guys, I'd rather have guys from winning teams than losers and ultimately championship experience can't be replicated.

Sochan barely played in New York but he also came from San Antonio and was someone Pop took special interest in. I don't know what he'll be in the future but it seemed like Pop was trying to make him into a Boris Diaw type of PF and he does have good court vision. I'd gladly take a flyer on him. Of course that's moot since he signed with Portland but the main point is it's easier to keep a competitive culture when everyone is from winning situations.

 

[GatorAZ]

Sochan isn't available. He signed with somebody. I already forget who. I know Main wanted him though.

And he stinks plus we have 3 PF’s.

First, let me point out, this is not about Sochan versus Highsmith. I like Highsmith as a player when healthy but he is not a power forward although he can give spot duty there. However, comparing Jeremy Sochan to Haywood Highsmith right now is a no-brainer when you look at the full picture.

Sochan just turned 23 in May and is an NBA Champion (2026) who recently signed with the Portland Trail Blazers on a minimum deal. He’s a true 6'8" power forward with high upside, still developing his game after being stuck behind a logjam in San Antonio.

On the flip side, Highsmith is 29, has no championship pedigree, and was just waived by the Phoenix Suns because he can’t stay healthy and salary restraints. He’s been battling a torn meniscus in his right knee since August 2025, playing only seven regular-season games last year.

At 6'5", he’s not even a true power forward, he’s a wing player whose value relies entirely on being a '3-and-D' guy, which is impossible when he’s sidelined with recurring knee swelling.

Honestly what is your fascination with every underwhelming depth player?

 

[Mainstreet]

Honestly what is your fascination with every underwhelming depth player?

Did you see what happened when Dario Saric went down in the Finals?

He tore his ACL in Game 1 back in 2021, and it completely derailed the Suns' frontcourt rotation when they needed depth the most.

You never can have enough depth upfront! That’s exactly why I value guys like Jeremy Sochan and Precious Achiuwa.

 

[Chaplin]

Did you see what happened when Dario Saric went down in the Finals?

He tore his ACL in Game 1 back in 2021, and it completely derailed the Suns' frontcourt rotation when they needed depth the most.

You never can have enough depth upfront! That’s exactly why I value guys like Jeremy Sochan and Precious Achiuwa.

Well except Dario Saric at the time was much better than both those players.

 

[Mainstreet]

Well except Dario Saric at the time was much better than both those players.

Saric was a solid backup 4/5 but he was no star. A solid glue guy, sure. He did his job well.

However, the Suns needed someone who could have taken on this role just in case. A team needs to prepare for the unexpected.

 

[Phrazbit]

First, let me point out, this is not about Sochan versus Highsmith. I like Highsmith as a player when healthy but he is not a power forward although he can give spot duty there. However, comparing Jeremy Sochan to Haywood Highsmith right now is a no-brainer when you look at the full picture.

Sochan just turned 23 in May and is an NBA Champion (2026) who recently signed with the Portland Trail Blazers on a minimum deal. He’s a true 6'8" power forward with high upside, still developing his game after being stuck behind a logjam in San Antonio.

On the flip side, Highsmith is 29, has no championship pedigree, and was just waived by the Phoenix Suns because he can’t stay healthy and salary restraints. He’s been battling a torn meniscus in his right knee since August 2025, playing only seven regular-season games last year.

At 6'5", he’s not even a true power forward, he’s a wing player whose value relies entirely on being a '3-and-D' guy, which is impossible when he’s sidelined with recurring knee swelling.

They gave him starting minutes for 3 years. He had every opportunity and he was bad and only got worse, finally last season they dumped him from the rotation entirely (and got much much better) before finally waiving him.

The Knicks barely played him and didn't care to keep him. Portland is one of the worst teams in the league and I wouldn't be surprised if he doesn't make their final roster.

 

[Mainstreet]

They gave him starting minutes for 3 years. He had every opportunity and he was bad and only got worse, finally last season they dumped him from the rotation entirely (and got much much better) before finally waiving him.

The Knicks barely played him and didn't care to keep him. Portland is one of the worst teams in the league and I wouldn't be surprised if he doesn't make their final roster.

Hey, maybe the Suns get a second chance although they are three deep at power forward. (Okay, I couldn't resist)

IIRC, the Suns were rumored to be interested in Sochan before.

My primary point though, Sochan on veteran minimum contract is good value, especially for a team needing a power forward.

 

[Yuma]

Did you see what happened when Dario Saric went down in the Finals?

He tore his ACL in Game 1 back in 2021, and it completely derailed the Suns' frontcourt rotation when they needed depth the most.

You never can have enough depth upfront! That’s exactly why I value guys like Jeremy Sochan and Precious Achiuwa.

Except we have a lot of guys now. You don't want to sign a guy just because. I'm guessing we sign another shooter.

 

[Yuma]

Hey, maybe the Suns get a second chance although they are three deep at power forward. (Okay, I couldn't resist)

IIRC, the Suns were rumored to be interested in Sochan before.

My primary point though, Sochan on veteran minimum contract is good value, especially for a team needing a power forward.

Would you rather have Sochan play, or give Peat minutes? Or Fleming?

 

[Mainstreet]

Except we have a lot of guys now. You don't want to sign a guy just because. I'm guessing we sign another shooter.

Would you rather have Sochan play, or give Peat minutes? Or Fleming?

Sochan is not available. I was pointing out, the Trail Blazers got a steal on a minimum contract.

 

[Yuma]

Sochan is not available. I was pointing out, the Trail Blazers got a steal on a minimum contract.

Still, I'm guessing another shooter. I like bigs. It's the Suns, they will sign another undersized guy. LOL!

 

[AzStevenCal]

Still, I'm guessing another shooter. I like bigs. It's the Suns, they will sign another undersized guy. LOL!

I like having lots of bigs but we need minutes for Williams, Maluach, Oso, Bridges, Fleming and Peat at a minimum. I don't really think we should add another big to the mix unless it's a fully developed veteran that's willing to play an emergency role. But we could use just about anyone that is willing to practice hard, cheer hard and play hard on those rare days we need an additional big - someone like a younger version of Frank Kaminsky or Bismack Biyombo.

 

[Phrazbit]

Hey, maybe the Suns get a second chance although they are three deep at power forward. (Okay, I couldn't resist)

IIRC, the Suns were rumored to be interested in Sochan before.

My primary point though, Sochan on veteran minimum contract is good value, especially for a team needing a power forward.

I get what you're saying about depth (although I disagree about Sochan's ability) but you can't develop multiple players at the same position.

I think Fleming and Peat have real potential and it's going to be hard for both of them to get rotation minutes with Bridges in the way. There is no way to find minutes for Sochan too.

I hope we don't extend Bridges before the year and one of those 2 guys play well enough to make extending him a moot point.

 

[Mainstreet]

I get what you're saying about depth (although I disagree about Sochan's ability) but you can't develop multiple players at the same position.

I think Fleming and Peat have real potential and it's going to be hard for both of them to get rotation minutes with Bridges in the way. There is no way to find minutes for Sochan too.

I hope we don't extend Bridges before the year and one of those 2 guys play well enough to make extending him a moot point.

Actually I have always been more worried about center depth after the injury situation last season. In a hypothetical world, the Suns could have gone after another 4/5 for depth.

A player like Sochan is only an example of a big man available on the cheap. He might have been an alternative to trading for Miles Bridges.

I think dumping the salaries of O'Neale and Allen was a big part of the reason the Suns went that direction although they obviously liked him.

 

[Chaplin]

Saric was a solid backup 4/5 but he was no star. A solid glue guy, sure. He did his job well.

However, the Suns needed someone who could have taken on this role just in case. A team needs to prepare for the unexpected.

Hmm, pretty sure I didn't mention the word "star" anywhere.

Not every power forward is a difference maker. That year, Saric was. And that was obvious.

 

[Chaplin]

Sochan is not available. I was pointing out, the Trail Blazers got a steal on a minimum contract.

Not a steal. Like most minimum contracts, it's a Make Good deal. He needs to prove he's worth more, but he obviously hasn't up until this point. You are highly overrating him, like you do with many players.

 

[Mainstreet]

Hmm, pretty sure I didn't mention the word "star" anywhere.

Not every power forward is a difference maker. That year, Saric was. And that was obvious.

Simply pointing out, Saric was a solid role player who gave the Suns much needed depth at the 4/5 off the bench.

I was contrasting it with the idea, the Suns needed something more than that.

 

[Mainstreet]

Not a steal. Like most minimum contracts, it's a Make Good deal. He needs to prove he's worth more, but he obviously hasn't up until this point. You are highly overrating him, like you do with many players.

I'd say on a 15 man roster, adding a player like that, if only for insurance, would help most teams. Portland took advantage of it.

If the Suns get a second chance and add him to the roster, I would welcome it.