The Ja Morant trade sweepstakes just got interesting for the Los Angeles Lakers. There is naturally no desire for Rob Pelinka and the front office to look at the disgruntled Memphis Grizzlies point guard. However, there could be a reason for the Lakers to get in the mix beyond that.
Michael Scotto came out with a new intel drop from the murmurings around the NBA. Morant was always going to be a topic. The NBA insider mentioned that whispers about the star guard wanting to land with the Miami Heat have been around for months.
One of the easiest ways for the Heat to match salaries for Morant's $39.4 million cap hit in 2025-26 would be to build a package around Andrew Wiggins and his $28.2 million as a starting point. There is just one problem with that.
Scotto wrote, "Miami has gauged the trade market across the league on forward Andrew Wiggins. ... With Wiggins having a $30.17 million player option for next season, it’s unclear whether Memphis has the appetite to acquire the 30-year-old forward."
This is where the Lakers and their expiring money enter the picture. Los Angeles would have the contracts to reroute Wiggins to Hollywood and give the type of added Grizzlies cap flexibility a team in their position would desire. This is a move that feels well within the Lakers' reach — if they want it.
Lakers could land their 3-and-D upgrade by rerouting Andrew Wiggins
It's been talked about for months just how dried up the 3-and-D trade market is. Such has been the unfortunate reality that a team like the Lakers — who desperately need the help — have been forced to navigate.
If Los Angeles wanted to make their push, Wiggins is probably as good as they can get before Feb. 5. The Lakers had interest in the Heat forward during the summer, but the asking price from Miami was too high in a potential deal between both sides.
Here, all three parties involved could come away satisfied. Miami gets a star they can try to relight. Memphis gets their out from a failing situation, and only eat short-term money to do so. Los Angeles gets a supporting act who should fair well with this iteration of the team.
The move would involve sacrificing wiggle room for 2026 free agency. However, with the options quietly dwindling, the Lakers can capitalize on their more immediate future.
Wiggins is far from perfect. Even so, the two-way forward fills a gaping hole on the roster for a Lakers team who would desperately need it.