27-year-old Interested in Returning to Heat

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The Miami Heat are in a tight spot right now. They have a payroll that is already above the first apron and not far from crossing the second. So, they will have to be careful heading into free agency.

The Heat would not want to lose both Haywood Highsmith and Caleb Martin in free agency, two key rotation players last season.

Highsmith is set to become an unrestricted free agent while Martin has a $7.1 million player option, which he is expected to decline and enter free agency.

As things stand, it looks like the Heat will be able to keep only one of the two and Highsmith seems more likely to remain in Miami come next season than Martin.

According to the Miami Herald, there have already been discussions between the Heat and Highsmith regarding a potential new contract. The franchise has interest in keeping the player, and the 27-year-old has interest in returning to the Heat as well.

Highsmith has admitted in the past about wanting to remain in Miami. However, there is expected to be no lack of interest in the three-and-D wing's signature in free agency this summer.

The Heat definitely look like his preferred destination though. Highsmith’s agent Jerry Dianis said to the Miami Herald this week: "If the money is close, Haywood will stay in Miami."

Highsmith is coming off the best season of his career, having played 66 games and started 26 times.

He is one of the Heat's best defenders while shooting 46.5% from the field and 39.6% from beyond the arc. That is not a player profile that the team should let go of.

ESPN’s Bobby Marks said to the Miami Herald that he projects Highsmith to get in the $8 million to $10 million range per season. Not an incredible amount of money for a player who is on the rise and is entering his prime.