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The Los Angeles Lakers have reported interest in making a trade for former NBA champion and Miami Heat wing Andrew Wiggins, but questions remain on if it’s the right move.
The Los Angeles Lakers are second in the Western Conference with a 12-4 record and finally have their star trio of LeBron James, Luka Doncic, and Austin Reaves on the court together.
But that isn’t even in Laker Land, and questions remain on whether this currently constructed team has enough to win four straight playoff rounds. Big man issues remain the biggest concern, specifically after Deandre Ayton’s recent knee injury, but that hasn’t stopped trade rumors for other positions.
Most recently, Jake Fischer reported that Los Angeles was interested in trading for former NBA champion and Miami Heat wing Andrew Wiggins. The Lakers have expressed interest in Wiggins in the past, but as of late, they were urged not to make the move for the 2022 Finals winner with the Golden State Warriors.
“While adding Wiggins to a lineup that includes Dončić, Reaves, James, and Deandre Ayton is intriguing, the team should resist making such a trade,” Erik Beaston wrote for Bleacher Report.
While the Lakers still sit four games behind the conference-leading Oklahoma City Thunder, the writer strongly urged Los Angeles not to make the move, specifically after just getting James back healthy and on the court.
Lakers’ Wiggins Trade Idea Carries Some Concerns
Though Adding Wiggins would likely help the Lakers both find a scoring option and a relatively versatile wing defender, Beaston stood strong in his case as to why the trade wouldn’t work out well.
Along with just the starpower, specifically on offense, with James, Doncic, and Reaves, Wiggins would likely come in with a similar role, and is likely a bit of a step down from those three players. Additionally, putting a new player in the mix would completely throw off the seemingly strong team chemistry that has evolved since this offseason.
“Team chemistry is too important for the Lakers’ long-term success this season to be making changes of that magnitude,” Beaston wrote. “James recently rejoined the team, which already toyed with the chemistry that Dončić and Reaves had established as the one-two punch of the offense.”
Besides that, a Wiggins trade would also likely involve sending out some of their expiring deals. Los Angeles made a ton of moves over the summer, and changing all those plans to add someone who isn’t even an All-Star could prove extremely detrimental.
“The last thing they can afford is to trade some of the expiring contracts on the roster (Rui Hachimura, Gabe Vincent, Maxi Kleber, Jaxson Hayes) for Wiggins and risk disrupting chemistry or momentum,” the writer added. “Sticking with what they have and potentially trading one of those contracts as a package to bring in a role player or two by the deadline is a better move, especially as the team undoubtedly looks for depth later in the year.”
Wiggins is averaging 16.7 points and 4.9 rebounds on 48.1% shooting, but making a trade for him would topple everything Rob Pelinka and JJ Redick have done to construct this roster.
Reaves In Line For First All-Star, Massive New Contract
As mentioned, adding a player like Wiggins wouldn’t be a step up from the performance Reaves has shown through the first month of the season. Coming off 20 points per game last year, the 26-year-old is now averaging a career-high 27.6 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 7.3 assists on 48.4% shooting.
Along with lining himself up for his first-career All-Star appearance, more importantly, Reaves is now set to sign a new, max contract over the offseason.
“Austin Reaves has already leveled up more times than a Pokémon in his NBA career, with this final stage looking like a max contract player,” Greg Swartz wrote for Bleacher Report. “Reaves owns a $14.9 million player option for next season, although the chances of him picking it up are about the same as the Washington Wizards winning the 2026 title. Instead, Reaves can opt out and sign a five-year, $241 million contract with the Lakers or a four-year, $178.5 million deal with any other team.”
Bobby Marks of ESPN was the first to report the potentially massive, $241 million contract extension the Lakers could offer Reaves next summer. While his numbers might drop a bit following James’ return, if not the Lakers, another team will likely offer the guard a maximum contract, considering what he’s shown throughout his career.
Reaves currently ranks 12th in scoring, 11th in assists, and is shooting much more efficiently than his career-best last season. At his best, Wiggins likely couldn’t match these numbers, which is another reason why adding a player to take the ball out of Reaves’, James or Doncic’s hands likely isn’t a good idea.
Eli Gregorski is a sports journalist covering the NBA for Heavy Sports. He has years of sports writing experience covering the NBA, NFL, college football and basketball, international soccer, and Formula One. He graduated from the University of Colorado Boulder, where he was the assistant sports editor for the award-winning CU Independent student publication. More about Eli Gregorski
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