Are Lakers Determined to Get Wiggins? Here is How it Might Play Out

The Los Angeles Lakers know their time with LeBron James is already numbered. The famous person can retire anytime, however discovering somebody who can fill his contribution will probably be a problem.

As per a current report, the staff is pursuing a commerce that would come with Andrew Wiggins with out signing long-term offers. The Miami Heat and Brooklyn Nets are additionally effectively set as much as make savvy strikes that will assist all three groups.

Below is an in depth examination of how a three-team deal can go all the way down to restructure the NBA.

Lakers Shift Focus to Long-Term Flexibility

The Lakers have been extra involved about cap flexibility than they have been about making multi-year trades. But as Marc Stein lately identified, issues have relaxed considerably.

The Lakers are actually extra receptive to creating trades that transcend the 2025-26 season, and Wiggins has turn out to be a possible candidate. His $28.2 million wage this season and a $30.2 million participant choice for the 2026-27 season make him a beautiful candidate for Los Angeles.

How Can the Lakers Get Andrew Wiggins

According to Bleacher Report, it is a hypothetical commerce that may embody the Lakers, Heat, and Nets to enhance the roster scenario of every staff. The commerce will probably be as follows:

Lakers Get:

• Andrew Wiggins (from Heat)
• Jaime Jaquez Jr. (from Heat)
• Drew Timme (from Nets)

Heat Get:

• Rui Hachimura (from Lakers)
• Dalton Knecht (from Lakers)
• $10 million commerce exception (Wiggins)

Nets Get:

• Maxi Kleber (from Lakers)
• 2026 protected Brooklyn second-round decide (from Heat)
• $4.6 million (from Nets)
• $2 million (Lakers)

Deconstructing the Trade Figures

The Lakers would purchase Hachimura, Knecht, and Kleber in trade for Andrew Wiggins and Jaquez. The Brooklyn Nets would make the most of their cap house to tackle the wage of Kleber. Miami, having beforehand traded Haywood Highsmith to Brooklyn, would purchase Knecht by the Jimmy Butler commerce exception, leaving with a minimal residual of $3.8 million.

From a basketball standpoint, Wiggins can be an asset for the Lakers, offering high quality perimeter protection and flexibility. At 6’7″, he would be able to replace the gap left by the departure of Dorian Finney-Smith.

Wiggins last season averaged 18 points per game, with 37.4% accuracy from three. Although Hachimura provides good shooting, Wiggins’ defensive skills would make him a better all-around fit.

How Would Heat Win This Trade

For Miami, this trade would waive Wiggins’ $30.2 million player option for 2026-27, freeing up considerable cap room for future transactions. The team would also get Hachimura, a good shooter, and Knecht, a young player with upside. If Hachimura performs well for the Heat, they might be able to re-sign him beyond this year.

How Would Nets Win This Trade

The Nets’ main reason for making this trade would be financial flexibility. By taking on Kleber’s deal and getting cash from the Lakers and Heat, Brooklyn would improve its tax and apron flexibility. Kleber, though never playing for the Nets, might go into free agency, giving them another chance to tweak their roster down the stretch.