The Los Angeles Lakers are closely monitoring former All-Star Andrew Wiggins as a potential trade target if the Miami Heat make the veteran wing available, NBA insider Jake Fischer reported on Bleacher Report’s NBA Insider Notebook.
Fischer said that Los Angeles has prioritized two specific needs ahead of the trade deadline: two-way wings and lob-threat big men capable of pairing with Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves. Wiggins “is firmly on the list” of players the Lakers would pursue if Miami shows a willingness to deal the 30-year-old forward.
The Lakers sit near the top of the Western Conference standings and recently welcomed back LeBron James, but league analysts believe the roster remains one player short of matching elite title contenders such as the Oklahoma City Thunder, Denver Nuggets and Houston Rockets.
Why Andrew Wiggins Fits the Lakers
At 6-foot-7 with elite lateral speed, Wiggins would relieve the defensive burden on Dončić, James and Reaves while providing much-needed scoring support. The former No. 1 pick has delivered one of his most balanced campaigns to date, averaging 16.7 points, 4.9 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.1 steals while shooting 36.5% from three in 15 games this season, giving Miami both floor spacing and high-level perimeter defense.
Wiggins is under contract on a four-year, $109 million deal, earning $28.2 million this year with a $30.2 million player option for 2026–27. His salary tier makes him more accessible than larger-scale 3-and-D stars such as Mikal Bridges or OG Anunoby of the New York Knicks.
Los Angeles can match salary through a package built around Rui Hachimura and Gabe Vincent, according to Fischer.
Trade Talks Stretch Back to the Summer
Discussions involving Wiggins are not new. Anthony Irwin of ClutchPoints reported in June that Miami expressed interest in Hachimura in a potential trade that would have sent Wiggins to Los Angeles. Irwin reported that talks “advanced to the next step,” but stalled once the Heat demanded more than Hachimura in return.
Wiggins was acquired by the Heat in February as part of the blockbuster trade that sent Jimmy Butler to the Golden State Warriors, and multiple reports suggest Miami never viewed him as untouchable. NBA insider Marc Stein reported that Wiggins also surfaced in trade conversations with the Phoenix Suns before they shipped Kevin Durant to Houston.
The accumulation of those talks suggests Miami has maintained long-term flexibility regarding Wiggins’ future.
Lakers Taking a Patient Approach
While Wiggins is viewed as a top target, Los Angeles is not rushing into a deal. Fischer noted the front office remains in “wait-and-see mode” as the roster stabilizes with James back in the rotation and big man Deandre Ayton playing better than expected since arriving in Los Angeles.
“The Lakers are still going to be in a little bit of a wait-and-see mode,” Fischer reported. “See what this group really looks like before they push their chips in.”
The timing of a move may depend less on Los Angeles and more on Miami’s willingness to make Wiggins available.
If the Heat Open Bidding, Expect Pelinka to Act Fast
With James nearing 41 and Ayton off to an efficient start, the urgency to maximize the Lakers’ current window is rising. If Miami begins entertaining offers, league insiders expect Lakers president Rob Pelinka to be among the most aggressive suitors, valuing Wiggins’ playoff pedigree and defensive versatility.
Should the Heat decide to move him, the Lakers could make their push for a two-way wing upgrade they’ve been seeking since Dončić signed a three-year, $165 million deal in the summer.
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