As the Los Angeles Lakers work to reshape their roster around Luka Doncic this offseason, securing a versatile and defensive-minded wing player remains a priority. Speculation recently surfaced about the Lakers’ interest in Andrew Wiggins to fill that role, but authoritative sources have now dismissed any active trade negotiations. This clarification contradicts ongoing Andrew Wiggins Lakers trade rumors that had created considerable buzz.
Lakers Officially Rule Out Pursuit of Andrew Wiggins
The Athletic’s Lakers insider, Dan Woike, addressed the rumors during an appearance on the Zach Lowe Show, categorically stating that the Lakers are not involved in trade talks for Wiggins. Despite reports suggesting that the team had “sniffed around” Wiggins, Woike confirmed that the Lakers have no intent to pursue him moving forward. His firm denial aims to put to rest the speculation surrounding the potential acquisition of the former NBA champion.
Zach Lowe expressed confusion over the trade talks, highlighting the questionable value of such a move.
“I didn’t get. I’ve already said on my podcast that I didn’t understand what those rumors like they were suddenly giving up like a lot of sh** for Andrew Wiggins. It’s like, isn’t Rui Hachimura just as good as Andrew Wiggins? Like, why am I adding a lot more to that? I like Hachimura,”
Lowe commented, questioning the reasoning behind escalating the offer simply to obtain Wiggins. —Zach Lowe, Host of The Zach Lowe Show
Woike reinforced this viewpoint, stating,
“They’re not, they’re not interested in Andrew Wiggins. I think I can put that to bed. I’m pretty confident in that. Let’s pretend they have.”
—Dan Woike, Lakers Insider for The Athletic
Trade Demands and Lakers’ Hesitation Explained
Earlier in the offseason, Miami Heat reportedly set a high price for Andrew Wiggins, demanding a combination of young players and draft assets. According to Lakers reporter Jovan Buha, Miami wants Dalton Knecht, Rui Hachimura, and a future first-round pick in exchange for Wiggins, a deal that the Lakers have found prohibitive.
Wiggins had been traded to the Heat in a package deal that sent Jimmy Butler to the Golden State Warriors in February. Over the 60 games he played this past season, Wiggins averaged 18 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 2.6 assists per game while shooting 44.8% from the field and 37.4% from three-point range. While his skill set could complement Luka Doncic’s style, these demanding trade terms have prevented the Lakers from attempting a serious offer.
The Lakers’ Roster Strategy and Challenges Ahead
The Lakers’ search focuses on finding a player comparable to those who excelled in similar roles for successful teams, such as Dorian Finney-Smith in their recent lineup or P.J. Washington for Dallas during their 2024 NBA Finals push. The team aims for an athletic wing who can defend effectively and contribute offensively without adding excessive salary burden.
Complicating the Lakers’ offseason strategy is LeBron James’ $52.6 million player option, which occupies over a third of their salary cap. This financial constraint limits their capacity to take on long-term contracts, especially in trade negotiations involving other significant players. Insider Trevor Lane cites Woike to explain that the Lakers want to avoid absorbing additional long-term deals as they position themselves to clear cap space for 2026-27.
Potential Trade Dynamics Between Lakers and Heat
Although no formal trade discussions about Wiggins or James are active, the possibility remains that the Lakers and Heat could collaborate on a deal in the future. If Miami were willing to accept the financial burden of James’ contract, they might be open to sending Wiggins to Los Angeles as part of a broader package.
Teams like the Los Angeles Clippers and Miami Heat hold strategically valuable expiring contracts, giving them leverage to propose attractive trade offers. This dynamic places pressure on the Lakers to weigh short-term versus long-term flexibility, especially given the importance of building a competitive roster around Luka Doncic while managing salary cap limitations.
The Lakers’ current stance suggests they will prioritize court fit and financial feasibility rather than overpaying for a player like Wiggins, who, despite his abilities, comes with a steep price that does not align with their immediate or future plans.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Why did Andrew Wiggins disappear?
A. Shams Charania reported that Andrew Wiggins was absent because his father, Mitchell Wiggins, is experiencing severe health issues. The Golden State Warriors have allowed Wiggins complete freedom and flexibility to address this family matter.