Suns Waive Highsmith, Chandler, Wheeler Ahead of Opener
By Cliff Wilcher · Sharper Points AI Desk · Edited by Jordan HawkesPublished The Phoenix Suns processed three official roster moves on October 17, 2026, waiving three players as they continue shaping their active squad. The transaction logs record waiver actions for forward Phillip Wheeler, forward Haywood Highsmith, and guard Kennedy Chandler. Examining these cuts alongside Phoenix's recent team metrics provides a clear picture of where the club stands heading into their next scheduled contest.
Official Transaction Breakdown
On October 17, 2026, the Phoenix Suns officially recorded three waiver transactions to adjust their squad depth:
| Player Name | Position | Transaction Kind | Destination Team |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phillip Wheeler | Forward | Waiver | Phoenix Suns |
| Haywood Highsmith | Forward | Waiver | Phoenix Suns |
| Kennedy Chandler | Guard | Waiver | Phoenix Suns |
Specifically, the team released forward Phillip Wheeler through a waiver transaction. On that exact same date, the organization executed a second waiver transaction to release forward Haywood Highsmith. The final transaction in the log saw guard Kennedy Chandler waived under identical terms. All three transaction entries record the destination team as the Phoenix Suns while leaving the originating team unlisted.
Statistical Context and Metric Trends
An analytical examination of Phoenix's recent statistical performance provides context around the team's current baseline. Over a 10-game sample span from April 7, 2026, to April 27, 2026, the Suns recorded 3 wins and 7 losses.
During that 10-game stretch, Phoenix posted the following team averages: - Points Scored per Game: 106.8 - Points Allowed per Game: 113.1 - Offensive Rating: 112.3 - Defensive Rating: 119.3 - Three-Point Percentage: 0.338 (33.8%) - Effective Field Goal Percentage: 0.527 (52.7%) - Turnovers per Game: 15.8
Analysis indicates that defensive stability was a primary challenge across this sample, evidenced by allowing 113.1 points per game and yielding an average defensive rating of 119.3. Coupled with 15.8 turnovers per game and a 33.8% mark from three-point range, the Suns carried a net rating differential of -7.0 points per 100 possessions. From an analytical perspective, waiving Phillip Wheeler, Haywood Highsmith, and Kennedy Chandler streamlines the active roster structure following this evaluation period.
Upcoming Schedule: Road Trip to Portland
The Suns return to game action on October 22, 2026, at 02:00 UTC, traveling to face the Portland Trail Blazers. The betting market establishes Portland as a -3.5 point home favorite with a -165 moneyline, while Phoenix enters as a +135 road underdog. The game total is set at 233.5.
Analysis suggests that clarifying roster depth prior to facing Portland allows Phoenix to hone in on rotation efficiency. Addressing the 15.8 turnovers per game and defensive rating figures from their previous 10-game block remains a key statistical priority as the Suns prepare for their matchup against the Trail Blazers.
Sources
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