Are Lakers Nonetheless Chasing Andrew Wiggins Even After Commerce Deadline?

The Los Angeles Lakers entered the 2025–26 NBA commerce season with an outlined purpose: add a flexible wing who can affect the sport on each ends of the ground. One fashionable title that the workforce had been monitoring since November was Andrew Wiggins.

The former Golden State Warriors champion was one of many group’s prime priorities after the Lakers acquired sharpshooter Luke Kennard from the Atlanta Hawks.

Kennard’s scoring prowess provides useful offensive spacing, however Los Angeles nonetheless sees a necessity for a extra full two‑manner contributor, making Wiggins a compelling offseason goal.

Wiggins Remains on Lakers’ Radar

According to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin through Sporting News, Wiggins stays within the Lakers’ plans as a possible free agent acquisition. Wiggins holds a participant possibility with the Miami Heat, positioning him as a attainable match for Los Angeles as soon as free company begins.

Recruiting a seasoned wing like Wiggins would assist the Lakers tackle defensive consistency and perimeter manufacturing whereas complementing their present offensive items.

Why a Wiggins Acquisition is Important

Wiggins has delivered sturdy performances in current seasons, notably throughout his last stretch with the Warriors, the place he averaged 17.6 factors per recreation whereas capturing 44.4% from the sphere and 37.9% from three‑level vary over his final 43 video games in Golden State.

Although his influence in Miami has been tempered, particularly after Jimmy Butler’s season‑ending ACL damage and scoring inconsistencies from Jonathan Kuminga, Wiggins’ expertise enjoying alongside Stephen Curry demonstrates his potential to enhance elite scorers and contribute defensively.

His size, athleticism, and championship expertise present the kind of defensive versatility Los Angeles has lacked, notably in excessive‑leverage playoff moments the place rotations develop into smaller and each cease issues.

Lakers’ 2026–27 Offseason Outlook

If Wiggins declines his participant possibility and enters unrestricted free company, the Lakers have a transparent alternative so as to add a confirmed two‑manner wing forward of the 2026–27 season. Pairing Wiggins with Kennard’s offensive firepower would stability the Lakers’ wings, giving head coach Darvin Ham (if retained) or the subsequent coach an skilled and versatile perimeter rotation.

Other notable names beneath the Lakers’ radar embody Tobias Harris and Peyton Watson, per Silver Screen and Roll. They is also the subsequent targets on the summer time commerce deadline.