Lakers Trade Rumors: LA Eyes Swingman Upgrade, Andrew Wiggins Emerges as Possible Target

on
by Raymund Tamayo

Miami Heat forward Andrew Wiggins targeted by Lakers.
Miami Heat forward Andrew Wiggins targeted by Lakers. Photo: Getty Images.

The Los Angeles Lakers aren’t done making moves. According to NBA insider Marc Stein, the front office is actively searching for a versatile “two-way swingman” to bolster their roster, and Miami Heat forward Andrew Wiggins has surfaced as a name to watch.

Wiggins, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2014 draft, is locked in for $28.2 million next season with a player option worth $30.2 million for 2026-27. While it’s unclear if the Heat are even considering moving him, Stein hinted that the Lakers would be ready to pounce if Miami shifts its focus toward trimming payroll and gaining financial flexibility.

The Canadian wing has bounced around the league but remains a proven contributor. Last season, splitting time between the Golden State Warriors and Heat after being dealt in the blockbuster Jimmy Butler trade, Wiggins averaged 18.0 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 2.6 assists while shooting nearly 45% from the field and 37% from deep. His ability to defend multiple positions and knock down shots on the perimeter makes him the type of player the Lakers crave alongside their current stars.

At 30 years old, Wiggins has already put together a solid rĆ©sumĆ© — highlighted by his pivotal role in the Warriors’ 2022 championship run. Over his career with Minnesota, Golden State, and Miami, he has averaged 18.5 points per game while building a reputation as a reliable two-way threat.

Andrew Wiggins.
Andrew Wiggins. Photo: Getty Images.

For the Lakers, the pursuit of Wiggins comes in the aftermath of another disappointing postseason. Despite boasting Luka Dončić and LeBron James, Los Angeles fell in five games to the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round of the 2025 playoffs. The front office responded aggressively this summer, locking in Dončić with a three-year extension while adding Deandre Ayton and Marcus Smart through recruitment. Role players Jake LaRavia and Austin Reaves are also expected to take on bigger roles heading into the new campaign.

If the Lakers can land a player like Wiggins, their projected starting lineup of Dončić, Reaves, Rui Hachimura, James, and Ayton would gain even more balance. For a team desperate to maximize LeBron’s twilight years and capitalize on Dončić’s prime, the addition of a defensive-minded scorer could be the missing piece.

The question now: will Miami actually put Wiggins on the trade block, or will the Lakers have to keep searching for that perfect two-way wing?