On a recent episode of his Hoops Tonight podcast, NBA insider Jason Timpf delivered a bold take on what could instantly elevate the Los Angeles Lakers from a strong playoff team to a genuine championship contender trading for Andrew Wiggins.
“I do think an Andrew Wiggins trade would immediately make the Lakers a top-tier contender. He would immediately address their athleticism and defense needs. He specifically, in my opinion, is one of the top tier, if not second, or second tier to top tier, somewhere in that range.”
“One of the top 10 apex defenders that you could put on an opposing star in a playoff series, and he can do it against multiple different types of stars.”
“I also think he just makes a substantial upgrade in athleticism, which is what they would need. I also think he would play really well offensively off of Luka. And I think the Lakers could pull off that trade, including Dalton and maybe some second-round compensation and not having to include their first-round pick.”
“But the Lakers seem uninterested in making that type of deal because of Andrew’s age and because of their timeline.”
“Without Wiggins, if we take him out of the equation, I don’t see a move this summer that’s readily available right now that the Lakers could make that would immediately vault them up in terms of their athleticism and their ability to contend for a title this season. I don’t see it right now.”
“The question for me is more whether or not in the regular season, call it at the deadline, if this opportunity presented itself, would the Lakers jump on it? And I don’t think they will. I think they’ll hold on.”
Timpf argued that Wiggins’ versatility as a wing defender could solve one of the Lakers’ biggest issues: their ability to slow down elite scorers in the postseason.
While LeBron James and Luka Doncic are offensive juggernauts, neither is tasked with guarding the opposition’s best perimeter threats for an entire playoff series. Adding Wiggins would give them a defensive ace who can also bring size, length, and switchability.
Beyond defense, Timpf pointed to Wiggins’ athleticism as a major upgrade. The Lakers, despite having high-end skill, have been criticized for their lack of speed and verticality on the wings. Wiggins, still just 30 years old, would not only fill that gap but could also thrive playing off Luka as a cutter, spot-up shooter, and secondary slasher.
However, Timpf believes the Lakers are unlikely to make the move, citing concerns about Wiggins’ age relative to their timeline and his sizable contract. Wiggins is set to earn $28.2 million in the 2025-26 season and $30.1 million in 2026-27.
That financial commitment, coupled with the Lakers’ already heavy payroll for LeBron, Luka, appears to be a sticking point.
And with the Lakers planning to keep their cap sheet clean for the 2026 offseason, this would be a big risk.
NBA insider Jovan Buha has also floated Wiggins as an ideal fit, especially for addressing the Lakers’ frontcourt depth and defensive versatility. According to Buha, multiple trade frameworks have been discussed internally, including packages that would allow the Lakers to retain their star duo while absorbing Wiggins’ deal.
One such proposal reportedly involved offering an overpaid package alongside picks to match salaries. Yet, sources say the Lakers have shut down all such scenarios so far.
On paper, the fit is enticing. Wiggins averaged 18.0 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 2.6 assists last season while shooting 44.8% from the field and 37.4% from three. In the 2022 playoffs, he was instrumental in the Golden State Warriors’ championship run, earning praise for his two-way impact, particularly his defense on Jayson Tatum in the Finals.
For now, Timpf sees no other readily available move that could give the Lakers the same combination of defense, athleticism, and scoring as Wiggins. The big question is whether the Lakers’ front office will revisit the idea before the trade deadline, when championship aspirations may outweigh financial caution.
As of now, it seems they’re content to stand pat, but that could change if the right opportunity presents itself.
