The Los Angeles Lakers would have loved to see Andrew Wiggins hit the market as an unrestricted free agent. The Miami Heat forward has been linked to the Lakers dating back to at least last offseason. As a two-way, switchable forward, it made a ton of sense. Unfortunately for Los Angeles, it made just as much sense for Miami to keep him.
Jake Fischer reported that Wiggins opted in on his $30.1 million salary for 2026-27. That could have created a trade route for the Lakers. However, a report from Shams Charania is suggesting the Heat forward actually secured a long-term deal with the franchise.
"Just in: Miami Heat forward Andrew Wiggins intends to a sign a three-year, $64 million contract to stay with the franchise, with a player option in the third season, sources tell ESPN."
Charania gave an additional explanation that the opt-in was indeed properly reported by Fischer, and that would be the first year of his contract extension. That would mean Wiggins' future in Miami has been secured. The Lakers will have to look elsewhere for two-way forwards around Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves.
Andrew Wiggins' new extension with the Heat eliminates him off Lakers' radar
There is good reason Wiggins has been floated as a target for the Lakers since last summer. The veteran forward possessed a far more complete game, that complimented the vision of building around Doncic and Reaves, than most of the wing options in Los Angeles.
Wiggins showed off his defensive chops during his best years with the Golden State Warriors, when he was a crucial piece of them winning a championship in 2022. If JJ Redick got him to buy in on his role with the Lakers, that is the player who the team would have envisioned on that end.
However, the player Los Angeles would have wanted on offense was showcased in Miami. Wiggins shot a career high 41.4 percent on 4.9 attempts from beyond the arc during the 2025-26 season.
Doncic asked for shooters earlier this month. Wiggins' growth as a long-range marksman made him an increasingly attractive fit for the Lakers. Alas, it also made him even more important to keep around for the Heat, with their future now tied to Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Giannis needs shooters just as much as Luka does. Any great superstar that loves doing damage on the interior needs players capable of knocking down shots when defenses collapse.
Antetokounmpo gets that with Wiggins. Doncic and the Lakers will still be on the hunt for upgrades in that department.
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