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The Lakers have been urged to swing a trade for Heat forward Andrew Wiggins
The Los Angeles Lakers are reportedly interested in acquiring former All-Star Andrew Wiggins if the Miami Heat makes him available via trade.
In light of the reports, Bleacher Report’s Eric Pincus floated a three-team Lakers trade idea that would also involve the Brooklyn Nets.
Lakers would receive: Andrew Wiggins, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Drew Timme
Heat would receive: Rui Hachimura, Dalton Knecht,
Nets would receive: Maxi Kleber, 2026 second-round pick, cash
The Lakers trade idea would essentially see the team part with the expiring contracts of Hachimura and Kleber, besides promising young sharpshooter Knecht. In exchange, the Lakers would not only receive their desired wing defender, Wiggins, but also one of the best young players in the league in the form of Jaime Jaquez Jr.
Jaquez Jr. made the All-Rookie First Team in 2023-24, but had a poor sophomore season, primarily due to injuries and the distractions brought about by the Jimmy Butler III situation. As such, the 24-year-old could revive his career with the Lakers.
How the Trade Helps Lakers
Pincus outlined why Wiggins would be an upgrade over Hachimura, especially defensively, and Jaquez and Timme could prove to be key additions.
“From a basketball perspective, the 30-year-old [Wiggins] would step in as the team’s best perimeter defender. At 6’7″, he’d fill the role left by the departure of Dorian Finney-Smith,” wrote Pincus.
“Hachimura had some success against bigger players such as Nikola Jokić (though not enough for the Lakers to win a series over the Denver Nuggets). Still, he’s not especially mobile enough to stick with attacking guards and wings.”
The insider pointed out how bringing in Jaquez would erase the mistake of the Lakers front office in 2023, when they passed up on the southpaw.
“Los Angeles missed out on Jaquez (No. 18) in the 2023 draft to select Jalen Hood-Schifino (No. 17). Jaquez was one of the top rookies that year, while Hood-Schifino is not currently in the league.
“Timme could fill the last required standard roster spot (14th), or the team could sign a veteran on a minimum contract while staying under its first-apron hard cap at $195.9 million. Kleber and cash make the rest of the deal feasible.”
The Heat Clear the Books
Wiggins, who has a player option for the 2026-27 season, may have an uncertain future with a Heat organization determined to clear their books for next year’s free agency. According to multiple reports, the Heat are open to reshaping the entire roster in the coming years and prefer not to make financial commitments with existing players.
It’s this thinking that forced the Heat to trade Haywood Highsmith to cut down on their luxury tax, and could propel them to do the same with Wiggins.
“Getting out of Wiggins would not only clear $30.1 million from next year’s books but also put the team well under the tax threshold to add [Precious] Achiuwa,” Pincus explained. “The Heat would gain flexibility for additional moves at approximately $9.3 million below the tax threshold.”
“Hachimura, who is on an expiring deal, is eligible for an extension if he proves to be a strong fit. He’s a better shooter than Wiggins, and more of a natural power forward (often playing out of position for the Lakers).”
Sai Mohan covers the NBA for Heavy.com. Based in Portugal, Sai is a seasoned sports writer with nearly two decades of publishing experience, including bylines at Yardbarker, FanSided’s Hoops Habit, International Business Times, Hindustan Times and more. More about Sai Mohan
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