The Los Angeles Lakers have a playoff-worthy roster, one that should be able to rival the Denver Nuggets and Oklahoma City Thunder for the top spot in the Western Conference.
However, the Lakers are always, and we mean always, linked to the best players on the trade market. With LeBron James, Luka Doncic, and Austin Reaves all elite scorers and facilitators, the Lakers clearly need a wing defender.
Los Angeles saw Dorian Finney-Smith walk in free agency and is expected to be on the hunt for a replacement, if not an upgrade. The Lakers have been linked to the likes of Grayson Allen and Herb Jones.
While a deal with the Miami Heat doesn’t seem imminent, Andrew Wiggins has long been a coveted trade target for the Lakers.
GettyAndrew Wiggins #22 of the Miami Heat reacts after he was fouled by Zaccharie Risacher #10 of the Atlanta Hawks during the NBA Play-In Tournament.
Lakers’ Chance of Landing Andrew Wiggins Revealed
The Heat, simply, do not tank. Wiggins is one of their best two-way players, and there is very little reason for the Heat to agree to a trade, especially with the Eastern Conference in the midst of a downturn.
One Lakers’ insider was asked directly what he thinks the odds of the Lakers landing Wiggins are, and he did not hesitate.
“Twenty-five percent, 30 percent, I would put it certainly under 50 percent,” said Jovan Buha on a September 25th livestream. “If I’m saying over 50 percent, then I think it’s going to happen. As of right now, I would put it certainly under 50 percent.”
The Lakers, in theory, have the draft capital and matching salary to make a deal for a player of Wiggins’ caliber. However, it takes two to tango, and the Heat might simply not be interested in making a deal.
Heat and Lakers’ Circumstances Could Change
At present, the Lakers are more likely to land Walker Kessler to shore up their frontcourt than they are to trade for Wiggins. As a result, James and Doncic will be tasked with improving their defense, keeping the Lakers afloat on that side of the ball.
However, it’s a long season, and things can change quickly. If the Lakers get off to a slow start, they might become more desperate to make a deal, although Buha, if anything, sees them starting off strong with a weak schedule.
Odds are low that the Lakers will flounder, although the same can’t be said about Miami.
“I think they’re more of a play-in team, and that’s before even looking at the Tyler Hero injury,” said Buha of the Heat. “I think this could be a different percentage come December or January. For now, I would peg it at around 25, 30 percent.”
Miami traded for Norman Powell in an effort to shore up their backcourt this summer, although Herro will miss significant time, dealing a blow to their playoff chances.
With Kel’el Ware, Pelle Larsson, and Kasparas Jakučionis all brimming with potential, the Heat might finally embrace a tank and rebuild, especially if they looked poised for the lottery by the New Year.
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