The Los Angeles Lakers and the Miami Heat had engaged in advanced trade talks for former All-Star wing Andrew Wiggins.
However, the Lakers have balked at the Heat’s asking price.
According to Jovan Buha of the “Buha’s Block” podcast, the Heat have a steep asking price for the 30-year-old Wiggins.
“I don’t know if Gabe [Vincent], [Maxi Kleber], Shake [Milton] & a first [round pick] gets you Andrew Wiggins,” Buha said, replying to a question from a fan of his podcast on his hypothetical trade for the Heat forward. “I’ve reported/shared what I’ve heard, which is that [Miami] has been asking for a first & Dalton [Knecht], which is an overpay for Wiggins. I think they also want Rui Hachimura, too, because they want to remain competitive. Obviously, Rui is a better player than Gabe or Maxi. Miami’s asking price has to drop, as I’ve said before.”
On June 25, Anthony Irwin of ClutchPoints reported that the Heat were interested in Hachimura in a potential deal involving Wiggins.
“After reporting the Lakers checked in with the Heat about Wiggins’ price, sources tell ClutchPoints that trade talks have advanced to the next step, though nothing is considered imminent as of right now,” Irwin wrote.
It turns out the Heat wanted more than just Hachimura, which is why a Wiggins trade for the Lakers has not happened yet.
Andrew Wiggins Would Have Made Sense for Lakers
Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty ImagesAndrew Wiggins could help the Lakers’ perimeter defense.
Wiggins has two more years left (last year is $30.2 million player option) in his four-year, $109 million contract. Flipping Hachimura, who is on an expiring salary and could be looking for more money makes a ton of sense for the Lakers not only from basketball standpoint.
The Lakers have struggled defending the perimeter last year. Wiggins can help them shore up their perimeter defense while he can knock down 3-point shots on the other end.
Wiggins averaged 19.0 points 4.2 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 1.1 steals and 1.0 block in 17 games with the Heat since he arrived at the trade deadline as part of the Jimmy Butler return package from the Golden State Warriors. The Canadian wing had a bounce-back season overall, after missing a chunk of games during the 2023-24 season to attend to his ailing father, former NBA player Mitchell Wiggins, who died in September last year.
Between the Warriors and the Heat, Wiggins averaged 18.0 points, 4.5 rebounds, 2.6 assists while shooting 45% from the field, 37% from 3-point line across 60 games. The 30-year-old 3-and-D wing is just three seasons removed from his All-Star season when he helped the Warriors win their last championship over the Boston Celtics in 2022.
Dorian Finney-Smith Exit Makes Rui Hachimura Indispensable
Getty Lakers LeBron James, right, celebrates his third three-pointer in a row with Rui Hachimura against the Warriors.
However, Hachimura became indispensable for the Lakers after Finney-Smith bolted for their Western Conference rival Houston Rockets in free agency.
Hachimura’s versatility can help the Lakers mitigate Finney-Smith’s loss. The 6-foot-8 Japanese forward can also play spot minutes at center to backup their top free agent acquisition Deandre Ayton in small ball lineups.
Hachimura, 27, fits Doncic’s timeline better as he is three years younger than Wiggins. He was one of the most consistent Lakers player last season, averaging 13.1 points on 51/41/77 shooting splits, 5.0 rebounds, 1.4 assists.
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