As we enter the latter portions of August, the Golden State Warriors still have two open roster spots. According to Mike Dunleavy, both will almost certainly be filled by the start of the season.
It only remains to be seen in what manner.
The Warriors have just $5 million between them and the second apron, which means they're unable to sign any new players outside of potential veteran-minimum contributors. Perhaps both of those roster spots are ultimately filled by budget options still on the market—like Kelly Olynyk, Georges Niang, or Brandon Williams. Perhaps one of Golden State's current two-way players is elevated to the main roster. If that happens, LJ Cryer would likely be the favorite to take on that mantle.
But no matter what, the Warriors will be seeking out extra talent on the wing. Haywood Highsmith, who was released by the Phoenix Suns on Aug. 12 just months after signing a two-year contract with the organization, would've been an ideal target at this point in the offseason.
But Highsmith, somewhat surprisingly, returned to the Suns today on an unspecified deal—although one would imagine it's a minimum contract. The Warriors will now need to look elsewhere to fill their remaining roster needs.
Haywood Highsmith comes with his concerns, but he's someone the Warriors should've at least looked into
Highsmith, during his six-season NBA career, has never advanced past the level of semi-reliable bench contributor. His best season was in 2024-25 with the Miami Heat, where he served as a major defensive asset and averaged 6.5 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 1.5 assists while shooting 38.2% from beyond the arc.
What seemed like a career-reviving campaign ultimately was quashed by a meniscus injury in August of 2025 that caused him to miss most of last season. Highsmith signed a two-year, minimum deal with Phoenix in February, appearing in just seven regular-season games with the franchise.
Why would the Suns waive and then re-sign Highsmith? It's hard to tell at this point, given that he vacated and then filled their final roster spot. Perhaps it has to do with the guarantees on the deal, or there's some other behind-the-scenes financial workings that necessitated the maneuver.
But if Highsmith were ever truly available, that's an option Golden State should've explored. While he doesn't offer major upside offensively, he's much younger than both Niang and Olynyk, and his fit as a wing makes more sense with how the Warriors are currently constructed. Having him as a defensive presence off the bench would, at the very least, have been a major boon to the two-way consistency of their current unit.
But Highsmith has returned to the Suns, and Golden State's attention must now turn firmly toward filling those final two roster spots. A Niang or Olynyk signing seems more and more likely by the day.
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