The Los Angeles Lakers continue to come up in trade speculation involving several players, but their potential hopes of landing Andrew Wiggins from the Miami Heat may have just been officially ended.
Wiggins, 30, is heading into his first full season with the Heat, who acquired him from the Golden State Warriors at the 2025 trade deadline.
That fact is key to the current sentiment that the 2014 Rookie of the Year will stay with the Heat.
“During an interview at summer league practice in Vegas, Erik Spoelstra says Andrew Wiggins is already back in South Florida and views him as an important piece of the Heat’s rotation next season,” Miami Herald’s Anthony Chiang reported on X on July 12.
“The expectation is the Heat will move forward with Andrew Wiggins on its roster for the start of next season. The Heat wants to see what this mix will look like.”
Wiggins was the No. 1 overall pick by the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2014.
He averaged 19.0 points, 4.2 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 1.2 steals, and 1.0 blocks in 17 appearances with the Heat following the trade this past season. He would give the Lakers a two-way presence alongside LeBron James and Luka Doncic.
However, the Lakers’ hopes of landing Wiggins could depend on how far they are willing to go to appease the Heat in a trade.
He is in Year 3 of a four-year, $109 million contract with a player option for 2026-27.
Heat Plan to Keep Andrew Wiggins
GettyAndrew Wiggins of the Miami Heat speaks to the media after his trade from the Golden State Warriors.
The Heat’s asking price appears to remain high, despite rumors of talks with the Lakers, whose best offer (that they were willing to make) may not have been enough in those talks.
“As we’ve reported, Heat will trade him only if it’s a clear win/upgrade/better collection of assets. They will absolutely listen to offers but are fine with keeping him if that’s how it turns out,” the Miami Herald’s Barry Jackson reported on X on July 12, corroborating Chiang’s post.
“Per source, nothing presented to Heat on Wiggins has been enticing and plan is to keep him, barring something unforeseen.”
“We got Wiggins to get Wiggins,” the source said, per Jackson. “He’s a good player. He’s been a big part of winning teams.”
The Lakers, it seems, must wait a bit longer to see if they can join Wiggins’ list with a trade.
Lakers Have Not Met Heat’s Rumored Asking Price in Potential Andrew Wiggins Trade
GettyLeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers shoots over Andrew Wiggins #22 of the Golden State Warriors.
Lakers beat writer Jovan Buha explained the grumblings about what the Heat could seek in a trade for Wiggins, who won a title with the Warriors in 2022.
“I’ve reported slash shared what I’ve heard, which is that they’ve been asking for like the first[-round pick] and Dalton [Knecht], which I think is an overpay for Wiggins. And I think they also want Rui [Hachimura], too, because they want to remain competitive,” Buha said on “Buha’s Block” on July 2.
“I think that the Miami asking price needs to drop.”
Would the Lakers be more willing to part with even greater assets during the season? Buha noted that Austin Reaves remains off-limits and viewed as a cornerstone for the franchise, but the Lakers may need to get creative if Wiggins is someone they feel would complete their group.
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