jj redick rob pelinka
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JJ Redick and Rob Pelinka of the Los Angeles Lakers.
The Los Angeles Lakers entered the post–trade deadline period with one open roster spot and a clear mandate: improve the rotation without sacrificing future flexibility.
One name drawing attention is Haywood Highsmith.
According to Dan Woike of The Athletic, Highsmith has emerged as a potential target—provided lingering knee concerns are resolved.
“Team and league sources say wing Haywood Highsmith is a player of interest, provided his knee issues are resolved,” Woike reported Friday.
Highsmith Nearing Return After Meniscus Surgery
Haywood Highsmith, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Lakers
GettyGiannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks is fouled by Haywood Highsmith formerly of the Miami Heat.
Highsmith was recently waived by the Brooklyn Nets while nearing a return from offseason knee surgery.
According to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype, Highsmith had been on track to make his season debut Feb. 11 following a successful recovery from a meniscus procedure.
“Highsmith’s healthy, is playing 5-on-5 and was set to make his season debut February 11th following meniscus surgery,” Scotto reported, citing agent Jerry Dianis.
The 29-year-old forward underwent surgery in August to repair a torn meniscus in his right knee and was traded from the Miami Heat to Brooklyn shortly thereafter. Despite progressing through rehabilitation, Highsmith never appeared in a game for the Nets.
Proven Two-Way Contributor Before Injury
Before the injury, Highsmith had carved out a valuable role in Miami.
Last season, he appeared in 74 games, making 42 starts, and averaged 6.5 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 1.5 assists in 24.6 minutes per game. He shot 38 percent from three-point range and earned a reputation as a versatile defender capable of guarding multiple positions.
Former Heat coach Erik Spoelstra once described Highsmith as “a great defender, Swiss Army Knife guy, winning player,” praise that underscores why playoff teams continue to monitor his availability.
That defensive versatility—paired with a seven-foot wingspan—addresses one of the Lakers’ most persistent needs: consistent wing defense against elite scorers.
Lakers’ Deadline Move Sets the Table
The Lakers made just one trade before the deadline, acquiring sharpshooter Luke Kennard from Atlanta in exchange for Gabe Vincent and a 2032 second-round pick.
Kennard doesn’t fit the traditional young, two-way wing archetype that many expected Lakers president Rob Pelinka to pursue. Still, his impact is immediate.
The 29-year-old is shooting a career-best 49.7 percent from three, giving the Lakers an elite floor spacer who can punish defenses loading up on Luka Dončić, LeBron James and Austin Reaves.
Highsmith wouldn’t replicate Kennard’s shooting gravity, but his defensive edge would complement it—particularly in postseason matchups.
Buyout Market Fits Lakers’ Financial Strategy
Financially, the Lakers’ conservative deadline approach was deliberate. With more than $55 million in projected cap space this summer, the front office showed little appetite for absorbing multi-year contracts.
A buyout addition changes that equation.
Highsmith would likely come on a short-term, minimum-level deal, preserving future cap room while offering rotation-level upside. It’s a classic low-risk, high-reward swing for a team balancing immediate contention with offseason optionality.
Two-Way Options Also Under Review
Highsmith isn’t the Lakers’ only path forward.
According to Dave McMenamin of ESPN, Los Angeles is also evaluating its internal options.
“The Vincent–Kennard swap is the lone transaction the Lakers completed before the deadline,” McMenamin wrote on X. “Now L.A. is focused on evaluating its two-way spots and monitoring the buyout market.”
The Lakers could also create an additional roster spot by waiving a player if necessary.
Currently, Nick Smith Jr., Chris Manon, and Drew Timme occupy the team’s two-way slots. According to ClutchPoint’s Brett Siegel, Timme is viewed internally as the most likely candidate for a standard contract.
“Lakers may still make another small move to open up a roster spot,” Siegel reported. “They like Drew Timme a lot.”
Decision Looms as Market Develops
With the buyout market beginning to take shape, the Lakers are positioned to act quickly if Highsmith’s medical clearance checks out—or if another opportunity emerges.
For a team with championship aspirations and an eye on the future, the final roster spot represents one last chance to fine-tune the balance between win-now depth and long-term flexibility.