The Los Angeles Lakers have had a busy offseason thus far, but the moves may not be done quite yet.
In the ultra-competitive Western Conference, the purple and gold will be looking to continue fortifying their roster, likely through the start of the regular season, with the trade deadline of February 6th circled on their calendar.
According to NBA insider Marc Stein, the Lakers are interested in a two-way wing. Specifically, Stein linked them to former Golden State Warriors All-Star and No. 1 overall pick Andrew Wiggins.
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Stein spoke highly of Wiggins and credited the contract extension of superstar Luka Doncic with this kind of move even being a possibility.
“Andrew Wiggins, 30, will earn $28.2 million this season and holds a $30.2 million player option for 2026-27. I wouldn’t have classified him as a potential purple-and-gold target before Dončić’s long-term future was secured, but things are different now. So my sense is that the Lakers would have interest if the Heat, in coming weeks or months, decide to prioritize financial flexibility and look to reduce payroll.”
Wiggins was sent to the Miami Heat as a result of the blockbuster Jimmy Butler deal and showed improvements in points, steals, assists, and field goal percentage.
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In his 17 games in Miami last year, Wiggins averaged 19 points, 3.3 assists, 4.2 rebounds, 1.2 steals, and one block per game on 45.8 percent shooting from the field. His effective field goal percentage, which accounts for the added point from beyond the arc, was at 53 percent, also up since his trade.
The Lakers have made it known that they have wanted to save their future salary cap for the immense potential of the 2027 free agency class that includes Nikola Jokic and Giannis Antetokounmpo, but Stein also touched on taking on Wiggins’ large contract.
“The Lakers’ reluctance in the early stages of the offseason to consider trades for contracts that stretch beyond the 2025-26 season has thawed somewhat. I don’t think that means they’ll swing a deal for just anyone between now and the Feb. 5 trade deadline, but league sources say L.A. would indeed have interest in adding a two-way swingman who can raise their ceiling.”
If a trade presented itself for LA, bringing in the 30-year-old would present an effective scoring threat on the wing, but it would all be reliant on what Miami wants in return, and if the Lakers will pull the trigger.
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