Nets acquire Haywood Highsmith in trade with far-out draft implications

The Nets turned some of their cap space into a distant draft asset. 

Sean Marks, flush with room under the salary floor, acquired an unprotected 2032 second-round pick from the Heat by absorbing the expiring contract of power forward Haywood Highsmith, a source confirmed Friday. 

Highsmith was a regular part of Miami’s rotation the past two years but recently underwent surgery to repair a meniscus tear suffered during offseason workouts. The Heat announced Aug. 8 that Highsmith is expected to return in eight to 10 weeks, which is not long after the regular season begins. 

Once recovered, Highsmith, who averaged 6.5 points last season and owns a steady 3-point stroke, theoretically could compete for a Nets rotation spot. But Brooklyn, which drafted five players in the first round this year, is prioritizing development, and it’s hard to see the fit for a 28-year-old on a $5.6 million expiring deal. More realistically, Highsmith becomes a trade asset before the deadline. 

The Nets, the only NBA squad this offseason with significant cap space, remain roughly $22 million below the salary cap, according to ESPN front office insider Bobby Marks. Their biggest question remaining is whether to pay Cam Thomas, who will hit unrestricted free agency next summer if he doesn’t agree to a contract extension before this upcoming season begins. 

For the Heat, the trade was financially driven. It places them under the luxury tax and creates more room below the first-apron hard cap. After trading Jimmy Butler last season, Miami barely qualified for the playoffs and got swept by the Cavs in the first round. They can build around Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro, but coach Erik Spoelstra clearly is missing the type of superstar required for postseason success.