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Lakers head coach JJ Redick fields answers a question during a press conference.
The Los Angeles Lakers are still waiting for the Miami Heat to soften their stance on former All-Star Andrew Wiggins, but the latest reporting suggests little progress has been made.
According to NBA insider Jake Fischer, the Heat “is indeed willing to part with Andrew Wiggins (and his $28.2 million salary) in the proverbial right deal.” The report, however, signals that Miami is not budging without a return it deems significant.
Fischer added that Wiggins could be included in a Miami trade package for Giannis Antetokounmpo if the two-time MVP requests a move and the Milwaukee Bucks invite a full bidding war.
Despite that possibility, Wiggins remains one of the Lakers’ top trade targets, particularly as the franchise looks for defensive help on the perimeter and a proven postseason contributor.
Why the Lakers Want Wiggins — and What They’re Willing to Offer
GettyAndrew Wiggins of the Miami Heat continues to draw strong trade interest.
The Lakers’ interest in Wiggins is well-documented.
Per LakersDaily’s Ashish Mathur, the franchise remains intrigued by the former No. 1 pick and 2022 NBA champion for his defensive versatility and physical profile on the wing.
“Wiggins has many fans within the Lakers organization,” Mathur wrote. “He’s an athletic wing who can defend at a high level, get to the rim and shoot from beyond the arc.”
Mathur also reported that Heat president Pat Riley may be unwilling to do business with the Lakers because of lingering tension stemming from LeBron James’ exit from Miami in 2014.
The odds of Riley helping the Lakers were described as “very, very low.”
Meanwhile, ClutchPoints’ Brett Siegel reported that Miami seeks a future first-round pick and two rotational players in discussions around Wiggins.
The Lakers could match that structure — with one first-round pick available in-season and three in the offseason — but the question remains whether they are willing to go all-in.
Cap Strategy in Play: Lakers Weigh Wiggins vs. Future Stars
The Rob Pelinka-led front office is reportedly prioritizing cap flexibility for 2027, when Nikola Jokic, Antetokounmpo, and several All-NBA talents could hit the open market.
Because Wiggins holds a player option for 2026–27, the Lakers may view him as a lower-risk acquisition compared to stars on longer deals.
ClutchPoints’ Anthony Irwin reported in June that Miami previously expressed interest in Rui Hachimura in a Wiggins-to-L.A. framework. Talks advanced, but stalled once the Heat asked for more than Hachimura.
Giannis Trade Landscape Could Pit Lakers and Heat Against Each Other
GettyLuka Doncic of the Los Angeles Lakers and Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks hug after the Lakers defeated the Bucks.
While the Lakers continue to monitor Wiggins, they may become rivals, not partners, with the Heat if Antetokounmpo decides to move on.
Fox32 Chicago’s Lou Canellis reported that Luka Dončić has been pushing behind the scenes for the Lakers to explore a trade for Antetokounmpo — whose future in Milwaukee has again drawn league-wide attention.
“Giannis wanted to be traded… His first choice was the Knicks,” Canellis said.
“The Lakers inquired and Luka Dončić himself inquired.”
The Bucks reportedly rejected the Knicks’ unwillingness to include Karl-Anthony Towns, and Los Angeles entered the inquiry from a similar position of limited assets.
Still, the Lakers — currently second in the Western Conference — offer the allure of pairing Antetokounmpo with Dončić, who is playing at an MVP level.
Lakers Waiting — But Not Waiting Forever
The Heat may be willing to trade Wiggins, but not on the Lakers’ terms — and the Lakers have plenty to consider as they balance near-term depth, future star hunts, and the cap chessboard ahead.
Whether Wiggins becomes a defensive solution for Los Angeles — or a trade piece in a much larger Antetokounmpo sweepstakes — will depend on who blinks first.
Alder Almo is a sports journalist covering the NBA for Heavy.com. He has more than 20 years of experience in local and international media, including broadcast, print and digital. He previously covered the Knicks for Empire Sports Media and the NBA for Off the Glass. Alder is from the Philippines and is now based in Jersey City, New Jersey. More about Alder Almo
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