Heat makes decision on Haywood Highsmith’s contract for next season. Where roster stands

As expected, the Miami Heat intends to guarantee forward Haywood Highsmith’s $1.9 million salary for this upcoming season, according to a league source.

The Heat’s other options were to waive Highsmith prior to Saturday’s deadline to avoid guaranteeing his salary or amend the language in his contract to delay the guarantee date. Instead, Highsmith’s full salary will become guaranteed on Saturday.

This decision was expected, considering Highsmith is on a low-end salary and will have a real chance to compete for a spot in the Heat’s rotation this season.

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While not getting consistent playing time this past season, Highsmith (6-5, 220 pounds) flashed his intriguing three-and-D skills when he did get an opportunity to get on the court. After appearing in 54 regular season games (11 starts), he shot 8 of 16 on threes while totaling 10 steals and two blocks in 161 minutes during this year’s playoffs.

Highsmith logged 23 minutes in Game 1 of the NBA Finals, finishing with 18 points and two steals. But he played a total of just 11 minutes in the rest of the championship series, which lasted five games.

“I definitely want a bigger role,” Highsmith said during exit interviews last month of his hope for next season. “I think for me, this offseason is big for me just to keep getting better, being more confident. I’m a defender first, keep shooting the open threes, keep developing my shot. Also, just putting the ball on the floor more and making plays, I think I can do some more of that. And just show more development as far as that.

“But, yeah, the Heat, I would love to be here next year, for sure. I just want, obviously, to get more minutes and more opportunities to just show what I can do. I think I really can be a lockdown defender in this league, for sure.”

Highsmith, who went undrafted out of Wheeling University in 2018, is set to be a restricted free agent next summer.

As Damian Lillard watch looms, the Heat has 13 players signed to standard contracts for this upcoming season: Jimmy Butler, Bam Adebayo, Kyle Lowry, Tyler Herro, Duncan Robinson, Caleb Martin, Kevin Love, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Nikola Jovic, Josh Richardson, Thomas Bryant, Orlando Robinson and Highsmith.

With Highsmith’s contract soon becoming guaranteed, Orlando Robinson will be the only Heat player among the 13 on that list signed to a partially guaranteed deal.