Why did the Miami Heat trade Haywood Highsmith? NBA icon joins Brooklyn Nets amidst recovery from knee injury

The Miami Heat has recently made a deal during the NBA summer. According to ESPN's Shams Charania, the team has sent Haywood Highsmith to the Brooklyn Nets in exchange for a protected 2026 second-round selection. The goal was to reduce salaries sufficiently to remove the team from the luxury tax zone. On the other hand, the forward is currently recovering from surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his right knee. It was anticipated that he would miss eight to ten weeks of action due to the same.

Miami Heat send injured Haywood Highsmith to Brooklyn Nets in summer trade for future draft picks

Haywood Highsmith played 24.6 minutes a night and averaged 6.5 points, and 1.2 three-pointers, making him a vital member of Miami Heat's rotation. Now, he is ready to join a rebuilding squad of Brooklyn Nets.

his readiness for Opening Night is currently in doubt after undergoing surgery on August 8 to repair a meniscal rupture in his right knee.

The Miami Heat's roster is now down to 13 players on standard contracts for the upcoming season, two fewer than the NBA regular-season cap of 15 players on standard deals. This was because they traded the star player without receiving a player in exchange. However, there was an ulterior motive of the team.

The trade lowers the team’s luxury tax threshold. It would drop from around $1.3 million above the luxury-tax threshold to roughly $4.3 million below it by cutting Haywood Highsmith's almost $5.6 million salary. The team was determined to avoid the luxury tax for the upcoming season after finishing as a luxury tax team in each of the previous two seasons. The management wanted to avoid the burdensome tax that is imposed when a team crosses the luxury tax threshold four times in a five-season span or four times in a single season.

On the other hand, Haywood Highsmith has sustained a knee injury while exercising. After ten weeks, he will rejoin the team on October 17. Opening night is just a few days away. However, he won't be able to experience the team’s training camp or preseason schedule. He would also need some time to get back in his game. Also read: Brooklyn Nets’ full 2025-26 NBA schedule to be revealed Thursday amid low national TV expectations