LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles Lakers have quietly advanced trade discussions that could reshape their wing depth and address long-standing defensive issues. According to Anthony Irwin of ClutchPoints, “The Los Angeles Lakers and Miami Heat have maintained further negotiations on a trade involving Andrew Wiggins, according to sources with knowledge of the situation.” These talks signal growing momentum but no deal is imminent.
Lakers In Talks With Rivals For 18.0 PPG And 1.8 SPG Wing, Andrew Wiggins
Irwin notes that Miami seeks to acquire forward Rui Hachimura and his expiring contract. The Heat would also require additional contracts to match salaries, likely pulling in names like Gabe Vincent or Maxi Kleber. The Heat’s openness to trading Wiggins has been consistent all summer. As ClutchPoints’ Brett Siegel previously reported, “Miami has made Wiggins very available… and has maintained that stance.”
This proposed swap, centered on the Lakers Wiggins-Hachimura axis, reflects broader ambitions on both sides. The Lakers want defensive versatility. The Heat want salary relief and long-term upside.
Andrew Wiggins: A Proven Postseason Performer
Wiggins averaged 18.0 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 2.6 assists this past season. He added 1.8 stocks per game—combining blocks and steals—while shooting 45% from the floor and 37% from deep. He split time between the Golden State Warriors and Miami Heat, serving as the centerpiece in the Jimmy Butler trade earlier this year.
Wiggins brings playoff pedigree. He starred in the Warriors’ 2022 championship run, where he was arguably their best player outside of Stephen Curry. He averaged 18.8 points in those playoffs, led Golden State in rebounds (8.8) and blocks (1.5), and added 1.5 steals per game. He consistently guarded top scorers like Jayson Tatum and Luka Dončić throughout the run.
Although he hasn’t missed extensive time since then, availability remains a concern. He played in only 37 games the season after winning the title and missed 22 games last year. Still, at 30 years old, Wiggins can provide the kind of two-way presence the Lakers need around their triumvirate.
Hachimura’s Rising Stock and Lakers’ Calculus
Hachimura, 27, posted a career-best year with the Lakers, averaging 13.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 1.4 assists. He shot 51% from the field, 41% from three, and 77% from the line. Within the Lakers organization, Hachimura is well-liked and considered an ascending player.
Anthony Irwin reports that “Miami likes Hachimura’s shooting ability at his size,” which likely explains their interest. But the Lakers aren’t eager to part ways with him. If they intend to keep Hachimura out of the deal, they’ll need to include draft assets—perhaps the No. 55 pick or a future first-rounder—to satisfy Miami.
The Wiggins-Hachimura trade hinges on the Lakers matching salaries. Kyle Anderson’s $18.8 million deal over two years may also factor into negotiations. He brings size, versatility, and postseason experience—a classic Riley addition if included in a deal headed the other way.
Strategic Fit and Defensive Potential
Wiggins could take the toughest defensive assignments and relieve the team’s stars of perimeter responsibilities. He fits alongside ball-dominant players, a necessity in a rotation that already includes Dončić and Austin Reaves.
Wiggins’ potential impact mirrors what Alex Caruso has brought to Oklahoma City: switchability, physicality, and toughness. That’s a rare quality in today’s NBA. As the Lakers evaluate their offseason path, acquiring a player who defends at an elite level while also spacing the floor could prove decisive.
Weighing the Future
Wiggins is owed $28 million this coming season, with a player option worth $30 million in 2026–27. That would account for 18.25% of the projected salary cap. The Lakers must decide whether Wiggins is worth the financial risk. He still profiles as an excellent wing, but health and salary are variables they cannot ignore.
Irwin’s conclusion leaves room for intrigue: “Though nothing is considered imminent as of right now,” the dialogue between these two teams isn’t over. As the draft nears and free agency looms, both organizations seem ready to strike. The question is who flinches first.
© Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
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