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.