Lakers Get Bad News on Potential Andrew Wiggins Trade

The Los Angeles Lakers are unlikely to acquire Andrew Wiggins from the Miami Heat before the start of the 2025–26 NBA season, as the Heat prefer to begin the year with Wiggins on their roster and may consider trades closer to the February deadline.

Miami has set a high asking price for Wiggins, reportedly demanding a first-round draft pick and expiring contracts. To meet these demands, the Lakers would likely need to part with their only tradeable first-round pick (2031 or 2032) along with expiring contracts such as those of Rui Hachimura and either Maxi Kleber or Gabe Vincent.

The Lakers are expected to explore all options to improve their championship chances as the trade deadline approaches, leveraging over $100 million in expiring contracts. This strategy mirrors their aggressive approach in previous seasons, such as their pursuit of Luka Dončić last year.

There is disagreement between the teams regarding the inclusion of Rui Hachimura in any potential deal. While the Lakers view Hachimura as a core player and prefer to trade other assets like Kleber, Vincent, or Dalton Knecht, the Heat have insisted on acquiring Hachimura’s expiring contract as part of the trade package.

Analysts suggest that adding Wiggins would significantly boost the Lakers’ title contention status in the Western Conference, addressing their weaknesses in perimeter and point-of-attack defense. Wiggins’ championship experience with the Golden State Warriors is seen as a valuable asset for elevating the team’s defensive capabilities.