The Los Angeles Lakers have been linked to a host of names this offseason as they continue to search for roster upgrades around Luka Dončić and LeBron James. One of the most persistent rumors involves Miami Heat forward Andrew Wiggins, a 2022 NBA champion and former All-Star who landed in South Beach as part of last season’s Jimmy Butler trade.
But while Wiggins has emerged as a popular trade target in reports, Lakers insider Jovan Buha is not convinced a deal is imminent. Speaking on his Buha’s Block podcast, Buha poured cold water on the idea that Los Angeles could land Wiggins without giving up one of its most valuable assets.
Buha: Lakers Hesitant To Put First-Rounder On The Table
“I’m currently skeptical that they could pull off a Wiggins trade without including a first,” Buha said. “I don’t know if Rui [Hachimura] and Dalton [Knecht] is enough or Rui, Dalton, and Gabe [Vincent], something like that. I don’t think that’s enough. My understanding is they are still hesitant to put a first-round pick on the table.”
Miami reportedly asked for Hachimura, Knecht, and a first-round pick in return for Wiggins earlier this summer, per Buha’s July reporting. While the Lakers have explored variations of deals involving Hachimura, Knecht, and Vincent, the reluctance to attach a first-rounder remains the sticking point.
What Wiggins Brings To The Table
At age 30, Wiggins still offers two-way upside. He averaged 19.0 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 3.3 assists in 17 games with the Heat during the 2024–25 regular season, shooting .458 from the field and .360 from three. But injuries limited his availability, and his production dipped in the playoffs, where he averaged just 11.5 points against Cleveland’s defense.
That mix of promise and inconsistency makes Wiggins an intriguing but complicated trade target. While he could slot in as a defensive wing and secondary scorer alongside Dončić and James, the question is whether the Lakers view him as enough of a long-term upgrade to justify surrendering premium draft capital.
Timing A Deal
Buha believes timing will play just as big a role as price. He noted that while training camp trades do occasionally happen, the more likely scenario is that Los Angeles enters the season with its current roster and revisits the market once players who signed new contracts in the summer become trade-eligible in December.
“Sometimes teams pick up talks right before camp to try and get something figured out so that player can be there for media day, the start of camp, etc,” Buha explained. “So, I would assume there’d be some urgency here to try and figure something out before the beginning of camp. I wouldn’t rule that out. But I would say that the most likely outcome continues to be them going into the season with this group and potentially making a move at the earliest, around that December 15th mark.”
Lakers Still Evaluating Options
The Lakers impressed last season by finishing third in the Western Conference with a 50-32 record before falling to Minnesota in the first round. Their offseason additions of Deandre Ayton, Marcus Smart, and Jake LaRavia addressed several needs, but the team is still searching for more perimeter defense and scoring.
For now, Wiggins remains on their radar—but according to Buha, the Lakers’ front office is unlikely to part with its most precious draft assets unless the return is a clear long-term fit.
“I think it would have to be a long-term upgrade, a long-term piece to put next to Luka Doncic,” Buha added. “I don’t think Andrew Wiggins quite reaches that level in their eyes.”