The Los Angeles Lakers are exploring ways to upgrade their roster, and Andrew Wiggins has surfaced as a possible target.
Bleacher Report’s Eric Pincus outlined a trade framework that would bring Wiggins to Los Angeles in a three-team deal involving the Miami Heat and Brooklyn Nets.
In the scenario, the Lakers would receive Wiggins, Miami forward Jaime Jaquez Jr., and Nets big man Drew Timme. The outgoing package would feature Rui Hachimura, rookie Dalton Knecht, and Maxi Kleber, along with cash considerations.
Miami would add Hachimura and Knecht while absorbing Wiggins’ contract through a trade exception created in the Jimmy Butler deal. Brooklyn would take on Kleber’s expiring contract in exchange for a protected 2026 second-round pick and financial compensation.
The structure hinges on cap maneuvering. Miami could use either the Butler exception or Haywood Highsmith exception to bring in Knecht, while Los Angeles would treat Timme’s deal as non-guaranteed. The Nets’ involvement functions primarily as a salary-absorbing move.
Wiggins, now with the Heat, has averaged 19.0 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 3.3 assists per game since his February trade from Golden State. His shooting efficiency of 45.8 percent from the field and 36.0 percent from beyond the arc has reinforced his value as a two-way wing.
The Lakers’ pursuit aligns with recent reporting from Marc Stein, who noted that the franchise has become more open to adding long-term salary if it means securing a key rotation piece. Wiggins, with championship pedigree and defensive versatility, matches the type of player Los Angeles has sought.
Head coach JJ Redick already has multiple options on the wing, including Austin Reaves and Knecht, but Wiggins’ playoff experience could elevate the team in a Western Conference crowded with elite forwards.
For Miami, moving Wiggins so soon after acquiring him would be a significant pivot. The Heat were eliminated in the first round last season and face questions about roster balance heading into 2025–26.
The Lakers have already reshaped their roster this summer with the additions of Deandre Ayton, Marcus Smart, and Jake LaRavia. With LeBron James entering the final year of his deal, Los Angeles is clearly looking for one more major piece.
The NBA trade deadline is scheduled for February 5, giving the Lakers time to evaluate Miami’s willingness to part with Wiggins before making a final push.
