The Los Angeles Lakers would love to add a two-way forward like Andrew Wiggins next to Luka Doncic and LeBron James. What they won't love is the rumored asking price that Pat Riley and the Miami Heat have set for the former number one pick.
"I don't know if Gabe [Vincent], Maxi [Kleber], Shake [Milton], and a 1st gets you Wiggins," Jovan Buha said on his podcast. "They've been asking for the 1st and Dalton [Knecht], which I think is an overpay for Wiggins. I think they also want Rui [Hachimura]. ... Miami's asking price has to drop."
There is no doubt that Wiggins would be a terrific fit playing alongside Doncic and James, especially if you are getting close to the best version of him. However, the Heat front office remains a difficult one to negotiate with, if Buha's information holds truth, which it usually does.
Lakers must find a way to pivot away from Wiggins
For an asset-starved team like the Lakers, surrendering anything close to the reported asking price for Wiggins would be a disaster. Depth was a major issue with this team last season. Giving up two quality rotational players plus what little remains of their tradeable draft capital is malpractice.
That being said, the Lakers' need for 3-and-d personnel around Doncic remains obvious. The team's second-round selection of Adou Thiero certainly helped address the defensive end. However, JJ Redick will need to work with him on developing a 3-point shot to satisfy the two-way demand.
In the meantime, there should be other routes to explore to find those types of players that can fit well with the Lakers. Whether it's via trade or free agency, there will be options that demand Rob Pelinka's attention.
De'Anthony Melton has been a popular name in Lakers circles as a strong veteran minimum gamble for the team. Melton tore his ACL in the 2024-25 campaign. However, if the Lakers are comfortable with his health, the skill set that can be provided there is certainly worth a look.
Someone like Trey Murphy or Herb Jones would be much more worthy of a steep asking price similar to that of what the Heat were asking for Wiggins. Either of those two would be very natural fits with an offense built around Doncic.
Whichever way one slices it, the heat down in Miami may be getting to their heads. Wiggins is a talented player, but the current demands for his services are laughable at best.