The Los Angeles Lakers have been linked in trade rumors involving Andrew Wiggins all summer. Although reports from internal Lakers sources claimed that the interest in the forward had died down, it was evident that acquiring Wiggins would be in the team’s best interests.
While there was radio silence on this front for the better part of the last two months, recent reports have indicated a renewed interest from the Lakers’ side in acquiring Wiggins.
With Luka Doncic‘s contract extension in place, the organization now has the capacity to pursue the Heat forward. Hence, to facilitate the move, Bleacher Report’s Eric Pincus presented a three-team trade scenario. Here are the details:
Proposed Trade Details
Los Angeles Lakers Receive: Andrew Wiggins, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Drew Timme
Miami Heat Receive: Rui Hachimura, Dalton Knecht, $10 million trade exception (Wiggins)
Brooklyn Nets Receive: Maxi Kleber, 2026 second-round pick (MIA), $4.6 million (MIA), $2 million (LAL)
Given that there are several moving parts involved in this deal, we take a closer look at how it has an impact on each party involved.
The Lakers Finally Acquire Wiggins
Acquiring Andrew Wiggins can be perceived as the final piece of the championship puzzle for the Lakers. Given their offseason roster upgrades, adding the Heat forward would simply serve to cement their status as legitimate title contenders in the West.
The 30-year-old brings a lot of positive traits that could help the Lakers elevate their output next season. As an exceptional two-way player, Wiggins emerges as the ideal starting wing player for the team.
Considering that he would effectively become the team’s third star, the forward has shown that he is capable of being a key contributor on both ends of the floor. During his time with the Heat last season, he averaged 19.0 points, 4.2 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 1.2 steals, and 1.0 blocks per game.
As a gifted asset with championship experience, Wiggins boasts a lot of value to the Lakers.
Along with Wiggins, the Lakers would also see the addition of Jaime Jaquez Jr. and Drew Timme in this deal.
Jaquez Jr. has shown some potential to develop into a key role player. Given Miami’s investment in his development, it is safe to assume that even after an underwhelming campaign, the 24-year-old could be due to have a breakout season soon.
Last season, he averaged 8.6 points and 4.4 rebounds, while shooting 46.1% from the field and 31.1% from three-point range. Although his perimeter shooting leaves room for more to be desired, Jaquez Jr. has displayed an impressive offensive skill set, presenting the potential to be a solid multi-level scorer.
With Knecht on the way out in this scenario, Jaquez Jr. could stand to gain more playing time in the rotation, especially to support the bench scoring efforts.
Timme’s addition could also be viewed as valuable. With Maxi Kleber on the way out in this proposal, the Lakers will need a third big man in the rotation. Last season with the Brooklyn Nets, Timme averaged 12.1 points and 7.2 rebounds, while shooting 44.1% from the field and 25.7% from three-point range.
At 25, the Nets forward has a lot of potential to develop into a solid rotation piece. Signing Timme to a minimum contract could help the Purple and Gold fill out the 14th spot on the roster, while remaining under the first tax apron.
The Heat Shed Salary
It is important to note that the purpose of this trade may not necessarily be to help the Miami Heat improve as a roster, but it will help them shed salary moving forward. Given Miami’s decision to part ways with Haywood Highsmith, there is reason to believe that they would continue in this pursuit.
Currently, Wiggins is expected to earn $28.2 million in the upcoming season. By trading him for Rui Hachimura ($18.2 million) and Dalton Knecht ($4.0) million, the Heat would be saving roughly $6 million in cap space. When factoring this in with the $3.8 million from Jimmy Butler‘s trade exception, the Heat could save up to $9.8 million in cap space, according to Pincus.
This would allow Miami to pursue key free agent targets, with recent sources presenting Precious Achiuwa as the most likely candidate.
Additionally, Hachimura is also on an expiring contract. With the opportunity to clear a lot of cap space for the summer of 2026, the Heat may see a lot of benefit from acquiring his contract.
Aside from the salary-shedding upside, the trade still brings two capable players over to Miami. Both Hachimura and Knecht have upside, and as young players, they also fit the Heat’s current timeline.
Hachimura brings solid two-way potential and versatility with him. While he may not be considered to be an upgrade on Wiggins, the 27-year-old is capable in his own way.
Offensively, the Lakers forward has shown a lot of flexibility in different scoring roles. Showing upside as a catch-and-shoot threat on the perimeter as well as a shot-creator in the midrange, the Heat could utilize him in several ways.
Last season, he averaged 13.1 points and 5.0 rebounds, while showing solid efficiency by shooting 50.9% overall and 41.3% from three-point range. When additionally factoring in his ability to guard larger players in the frontcourt, Hachimura has value.
Meanwhile, Knecht could also be a positive addition. With the departure of Jaquez Jr. in this scenario, the young Lakers guard could be viewed as an upgrade, primarily due to his superior three-point shooting ability.
Last season, the 24-year-old averaged 9.1 points and 2.8 rebounds, while shooting 46.1% from the field and 37.6% from three-point range. Considering that Miami saw Duncan Robinson leave in free agency, Miami could look to replace its sharpshooter off the bench by acquiring Knecht.
The Nets Need To Take On More Salary
The Brooklyn Nets will be continuing with their rebuild. While this could be viewed positively, it has also meant that the Nets have only taken on low-cost contracts to reduce the overall impact on their cap.
The league minimum in salaries is expected to be $139.2 million. As constructed, the Nets’ total payroll amounts to $138.8 million after completing the signings of Cam Thomas, Ziaire Williams, and Day’Ron Sharpe, per Pincus.
However, it is also important to note that this figure is the cumulative sum of Brooklyn’s 20-man roster. After cutting it down to 15, the Nets could see their overall payroll reduce, presenting the need to take on more expensive contracts.
In this regard, acquiring Kleber could be considered quite solid. The Lakers’ big man is on an expiring contract and is expected to earn $11.0 million in the upcoming season. Although acquiring him would take the Nets over the salary floor, the cash they receive as part of this deal from the Lakers and the Heat would help them turn a profit.
Kleber’s addition also has some merit from the perspective of providing support to the team’s frontcourt. The forward has proven himself to be a high-IQ player with upside as a floor-spacing big man.
Although he spent a large portion of the 2024-25 season sidelined due to an injury, Kleber is a reliable presence on the floor. He averaged 3.0 points and 2.8 rebounds, while shooting 38.5% from the field and 26.5% from three-point range last season. These aren’t impressive figures, but given his previous outings, with more playing time, he could be productive.
Receiving playing time may prove to be a challenge, as the Nets already have a solid big man rotation featuring Claxton and Sharpe. But the veteran experience off the bench and in the locker room could be useful.
In addition to this, the Nets will also see the return of their 2026 second-round pick, something Pincus considered to be a gesture of goodwill on behalf of the Heat. Given that this addition only serves to build Brooklyn’s wealth of draft capital, the organization may view it favorably.
The Lakers Benefit The Most From This Deal
While each team mentioned in this deal can address some pressing concerns at the moment, it is evident that this trade primarily caters to the Lakers.
With the addition of some solid roster pieces and a star-caliber player, the Purple and Gold will see a significant increase in overall roster strength. Meanwhile, teams like Miami, which could also be considered a competitive team in the East next season, are more likely to regress should this trade go through.
Overall, considering the Lakers’ championship aspirations, a pursuit of a player like Wiggins could be viewed as a priority. But after making some solid additions in the offseason, the team will likely assess its performance in the regular season before making major adjustments.
