From Division II to overseas, Haywood Highsmith has had one of the most unique journeys we’ve seen from an NBA player. Now, the story continues in Brooklyn. 😎

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Heat send Haywood Highsmith, second-rounder to Brooklyn to get under luxury tax line

The NBA is a business, and on occasion, teams are forced to make tough decisions in the interest of the bottom line.

Over the weekend, Miami traded 28-year-old forward Haywood Highsmith to Brooklyn along with a future second-rounder. Below are the full terms of the deal:

Brooklyn receives: Haywood Highsmith, 2032 second-round pick

Miami receives: Top-55 protected 2026 second-round pick

The incentive for Miami here was not next year’s second-rounder, which won’t even convey unless it falls in the draft’s last five picks. It was the money— prior to this deal, the Heat were $1.6 million above the luxury tax line for next season, and now, after trading Highsmith's $5.6 million salary, they’ll avoid an additional bill from the league.

It’s a tough break for Highsmith, who proved himself in Miami after fighting tooth and nail to make it to the NBA level. Highsmith received little Division I interest as a star out of Baltimore in 2014, and eventually took his talents to Division II Wheeling University, where he averaged 22 PPG and 12.6 RPG as a senior and was named D-II National Player of the Year.

After going undrafted, Highsmith earned a spot on the Delaware Blue Coats, Philly’s G-League affiliate, and bounced between the Blue Coats, Sixers, Heat, and an overseas club. Then, in 2022, he signed two ten-day contracts with Miami before finally earning a three-year deal to stick around for good. Last season, he averaged 6.5 PPG and 3.5 RPG while shooting 38.2% from three.

We can’t wait to see what Haywood brings to his new home!

Lakers to unveil Pat Riley statue against Celtics on February 22

The Showtime era will live forever in Los Angeles.

This season, the Lakers will unveil a statue of legendary coach Pat Riley, who led L.A. to four championships in nine seasons from 1981-1990. With Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar at the helm, Riley’s Lakers employed a fast-paced, showstopping offense that made them one of NBA' history’s most iconic teams. Riley was also a player for the Lakers from 1970-75 and a team broadcaster before becoming an assistant coach in 1979.

Seven other iconic Lakers figures are immortalized with statues in the team’s Star Plaza— Magic, Kareem, Kobe Bryant, Shaquille O’Neal, Jerry West, Elgin Baylor, and broadcaster Chick Hearn. Now, Riley joins their legendary ranks.

The biggest question on our minds… will the statue feature an Armani suit?

Pick a Side

Last week, we asked you make the call between Phil Jackson and Gregg Popovich as the modern coaching GOAT.

This week, we’re going back to one of the NBA’s oldest debates— who’s the better player between Wilt Chamberlain and Bill Russell?

The case for Wilt: If there’s a record related to scoring, rebounding, or overall dominance, it’s safe to assume Wilt owns it. His rule over the league history books is almost mythological, as are the tales of his mythical athleticism.

From scoring 100 PTS in a single game to averaging 50.4 PPG over the course of a season, there has never, and likely will never be a player as individually dominant as Chamberlain. He was a four-time MVP and two-time champion, leaving a larger-than-life legacy on the league.

The case for Bill: If there’s a record related to winning, it’s safe to assume Bill owns it. As the driving force behind the most legendary dynasty in NBA history, Russell captained the Celtics to 11 championships from 1957-1969, including a run of eight straight from 1959-1966.

Individually, Russell was one of the league’s most impactful defenders and rebounders, bringing home the MVP award five times, including over Wilt’s 50-PPG season in 1962. Russell’s Celtics also defeated Wilt’s teams in the playoffs in seven out of their eight series matchups.

Three in the Key

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Signing Off

And we out! Thanks for spending a portion of your day with us. This week, don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it! Whether it’s a tough task or a tall shelf, there’s always someone around you willing to lend a hand. See you soon!

Walker Carnathan