17. Haywood Highsmith
Haywood Highsmith was the third player to sign a two-way contract player for the Philadelphia 76ers this season. His signing came after the release of point guard Demetrius Jackson from his two-way contract in January. Prior to being signed by the Sixers, Highsmith showed real promise as a 3-and-D player with Philly’s G-League affiliate the Delaware Blue Coats.
The undrafted rookie has seen most of his playing time with the Blue Coats this season. He’s averaging 12.4 points, 6.7 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 1.2 steals, 0.5 blocks, 1.8 turnovers and 1.7 fouls, while converting 42.1 percent of his shots from the floor, 33.9 percent of his three-pointers and 63.6 percent of his free throws. His NBA numbers aren’t nearly as impressive.
Highsmith has only logged nine minutes with the 76ers thus far this season. In two games with the Sixers he’s averaged 1.5 points, 0.5 rebounds and 1.0 assists, while shooting 50.0 percent from both the field and three-point line.
There’s no doubt that Highsmith has the potential to be a 3-and-D player in the future. He’s a 6-foot-7 and 220-pound wing that down the road has the potential to come off the bench for the Sixers as part of the rotation.
However, the struggles with his shot has seemed to have set him back a bit. When the Sixers had signed him in January he was shooting 40.2 percent from downtown. For his shooting to drop from 40.2 percent to it’s current 33.9 percent shows a serious cause for concern.
If he can’t get his shooting fixed, it’s more than likely that he won’t see anymore time with the Sixers unless injuries were to occur. The bigger concern for Highsmith would be is that if he can’t fix his shot his future with the club may be in jeopardy.