Making a trade to get out of the luxury tax in August has been difficult for Miami Heat fans to wrap their head around. And because of their impatience, the Heat may have missed out on a golden opportunity to emerge as a premier seller at the 2026 NBA Trade Deadline.
In the specific instance of Haywood Highsmith, the Heat missed out on the chance to acquire a true asset for him at the NBA Trade Deadline. Instead of waiting out that process, the Heat forced their hand by needing to attach an asset of their own to get out from under Highsmith's contract.