Sixers part ways with Haywood Highsmith

The Philadelphia 76ers have waived guard Haywood Highsmith. He was undrafted a year ago but managed to make his way onto the Delaware Bluecoats before earning a roster spot on the Sixers because of his high-caliber play in the G League. The Baltimore native played for four years at Wheeling Jesuit in college and eventually earned a two-way contract in the NBA.

The move could potentially open up an opportunity for recently drafted Marial Shayok, a Canada native who went to Iowa State and was drafted 56th overall in this year’s draft by Philadelphia.

Many media members and fans thought the Sixers had a very underwhelming draft in 2019. They may have felt compelled to overpay for the 20th pick, where they selected Matisse Thybulle, after telegraphing their interest in him to rival Boston during the pre-draft process. They also failed to utilize some of their remaining picks to immediately bolster their reserve depth; decisions that could prove especially unfortunate if they’re not able to retain their nucleus in this franchise-defining free-agency period later this week.

Without maximizing value on their higher second round picks, the team will want to get all they can out of their two available two-way contracts. Shayok seems like the safest bet to join Shake Milton, who occupied one of them a year ago.