Miami Heat forward Andrew Wiggins “is now a more desirable player” in the eyes of the Los Angeles Lakers, according to The Athletic’s Dan Woike.
Months ago, Woike downplayed links between the Lakers and Wiggins but said L.A. is now more open to acquiring a player with his skill set “provided the price is right.”
“It’s unclear whether that kind of package could net Wiggins, who proved he could be a valuable piece on a championship team in 2022 with the Golden State Warriors,” the Lakers insider wrote. “It’s also unclear whether the Lakers believe Wiggins would be a significant upgrade over Rui Hachimura or whether the ideal situation would be to have him on the perimeter in addition to Hachimura.”
NBA insider Marc Stein reported on Monday that Los Angeles “would have interest if the Heat, in coming weeks or months, decide to prioritize financial flexibility and look to reduce payroll.”
According to Stein, the Lakers are willing to move aggressively for a two-way wing and, echoing Woike’s wording, would strike for the “proverbial right deal.”
Bleacher Report’s Eric Pincus floated a three-team scenario involving the Lakers, Heat and Brooklyn Nets. Los Angeles landed Wiggins, small forward Jaime Jaquez Jr. and power forward Drew Timme in return for giving up forwards Rui Hachimura, Dalton Knecht and Maxi Kleber.
While the Heat are aiming to make the playoffs in 2025-26, they have a financial incentive to move on from Wiggins, who averaged 19 points on 45.8 percent shooting and 3.3 assists following his trade from the Golden State Warriors.
The Heat are only $7.4 million away from the first apron of the luxury tax, so canceling out some of the $28.2 million that’s owed to Wiggins would give them more flexibility.
Still, Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald reported in July that Miami may wait and see how the current roster opens the season before it seriously weighs a Wiggins trade.
In order to break the Heat’s resolve, it may require trading away more than the Lakers are prepared to include right now.
