The Lakers have already had a busy offseason, but they may not have finished yet.
Marc Stein reported that Miami's Andrew Wiggins is a name, and it's worth mentioning if the Heat decide to move on from the previous No. 1 draft.
“Wigkins, 30, will make $28.2 million this season and has a $30.2 million player option for 2026-27,” Stan said. “I won't classify Dončić as a potential purple target until the long-term future is secured, but now things are different. So my feeling is that if in the coming weeks or months, the Lakers decide to prioritize financial flexibility and seek to reduce their wages.”
Meanwhile, the Heat are weighing their financial future after Jimmy Butler exited.
Moving Wiggins can be a way to gain flexibility.
“If trade Wiggins will be a pure cap motive, the Lakers can offer two large expiration contracts at Maxi Kleber and former warm-up guard Gabe Vincent,” Stein explained. He went on to say, “Vincent and Cleber's $22.5 million salary will drop Miami's book next summer and give them taxes below this season.”
Another potential package could include Rui Hachimura, who entered the final year of his $18 million deal.
“The combination of Hachimura and Kleber (or Vincent) will work financially and allow Miami to clean up all $29+ million in the next season,” Stein wrote.
The Lakers’ willingness to explore long-term funding is a direct result of locking Luka Doncic for a three-year, $165 million extension earlier this summer. With Doncic, Los Angeles has the ability to be more aggressive in pursuing senior role-players.
If Wiggins is available, he may be the two-way wing that the Lakers have been waiting for landing.
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