Despite no clear sign that the Los Angeles Lakers will acquire Kevin Durant this offseason, whispers around the league suggest the Lakers could still make significant moves as they seek to strengthen their roster. With Durant reportedly courting interest from multiple teams, the Lakers might reposition their strategy, focusing instead on securing key players like Andrew Wiggins to fill crucial roles.
NBA insider Jake Fischer has identified Minnesota and Miami as the leading candidates for Durant’s next destination. According to league sources,
“Things are obviously fluid at this stage, but the two teams most frequently cited as potential landing spots for Durant entering Saturday’s business, league sources say, were Minnesota and Miami.”
If Miami finalizes a trade for Durant, their emphasis might be on preserving salary cap flexibility. This could open the door for the Phoenix Suns, who would need to receive matching salaries in any deal. The Lakers could benefit by becoming recipients of players moved by Miami for these purposes, notably Andrew Wiggins. Jovan Buha of The Athletic highlighted Wiggins as a feasible acquisition for the Lakers, stating,
“Looking at the current market, (Nicolas) Claxton and Wiggins are probably the best realistic players the Lakers could get for each of their two big holes.”
Buha further outlined the potential lineup that could emerge from such moves:
“If you can get Claxton as your starting center and Wiggins as your starting three, and you still have LeBron, Austin, and Luka, I really like that starting five together.”
Following this, ESPN’s Shams Charania revealed that Durant might sign a long-term deal if he lands with Miami, the San Antonio Spurs, or Houston Rockets — a development that fuels speculation around Miami’s roster plans and how those might shape the Lakers’ options.
LeBron James’ Role in Lakers’ Potential Roster Shuffle
LeBron James remains a central figure as the Lakers contemplate roster changes. Any incoming player like Andrew Wiggins would presumably complement LeBron’s style and veteran presence, addressing the team’s urgent need for reinforcements while maintaining competitiveness. The possibility of assembling a lineup with LeBron, Wiggins, Austin Reaves, Nicolas Claxton, and Luka points toward a strategy of blending experience with youthful versatility.
How Kevin Durant’s Decision Could Influence the Lakers’ Moves
With Kevin Durant’s potential signing with Miami or other interested parties continuing to dominate offseason rumors, the Lakers’ approach may hinge on this larger domino. Should Miami succeed in acquiring Durant, the resulting salary and roster reshuffling could create openings for players like Wiggins to join Los Angeles — a move that aligns with the Lakers’ need to fill gaps without pursuing Durant directly.
This dynamic underscores the uneasy and tense atmosphere surrounding NBA offseason deals, as teams await clearer signals before finalizing trades that could define the upcoming season.