According to reporter Dan Woike of the New York Times, the Lakers have “shifted” to a more aggressive stance on improving the roster since Doncic committed to the team long term.
The Lakers have had a relatively productive summer. While they’ve improved the roster mainly through free agency and the buyout market, they’ve been pretty quiet on the trade market this offseason. This may have been because of L.A.’s previously reported stance on not wanting to take on long-term contracts that will affect their cap space in the summers of 2026 and 2027.
But now that Luka is cemented as the franchise player for the next several years, it seems the Lakers are more open to making deals. Dan Woike reports that the Lakers are prioritizing a wing and that Andrew Wiggins is now a more “desirable” target. He also reports that L.A. wasn’t initially interested in him earlier in the summer.
Wiggins is a Perfect Fit
NBA insider Marc Stein has also reported Wiggins as a player the Lakers would be interested in, that is, if the Heat are looking to “prioritize financial flexibility”.
Wiggins is the exact archetype L.A. has needed to slot into the starting lineup next to Doncic, Reaves, James, and Ayton. A 6’7 small forward, with the ability to defend on the perimeter whilst being capable of creating his own shot.
In 2022, Wiggins made his first All-Star debut and went on to play a crucial role in helping the Golden State Warriors win the title that year. He averaged 18.0 points per game last season on 37.4% shooting from three and 44.8% from the field.
What Would a Trade for Wiggins Look Like?
While Wiggins would be a great addition for the Lakers, it’s imperative that they make a deal without depleting their assets. He has two years left on his deal, with a player option on the second year, and makes roughly $28 million annually.
To the Lakers’ advantage, they do have plenty of tradeable contracts that expire this season. The Heat desire financial flexibility, and taking on expiring deals gives them that desired cap room for next summer. It is also possible for a third team to join a hypothetical Heat/Lakers trade, likely a team with tons of cap room like the Brooklyn Nets.
There are variations of a potential L.A. package with a combination of assets that might include assets like Rui Hachimura, Dalton Knecht, Gabe Vincent, Maxi Kleber, and draft capital (a pick swap or second-round pick).
Whether a deal materializes soon or within the coming months, it looks like the Lakers will be more active on the trade market in pursuit of contending for a title this season.
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