NBA Trade Rumors: LA Lakers land $28.2M wing in mock deal helping Miami Heat acquire Kevin Durant
The LA Lakers need a center, and that's no secret, but they also need to replenish their wing depth with a two-way presence. Insider Jovan Buha deemed Miami Heat forward Andrew Wiggins as a realistic target to fill that void.
Before his move to the Heat at the 2025 trade deadline for Jimmy Butler, Wiggins was the Warriors' best two-way player. He was a key component of their championship run three years ago, emerging as their second-best player behind Steph Curry.
Currently, on a $28.2 million contract, Wiggins is an attainable target for the Lakers. He fits as a piece next to Luka Doncic, LeBron James and Austin Reaves as a point-of-attack defender who can guard one through three.
With Rui Hachimura and Dorian Finney-Smith, the Lakers have multiple players who can guard the four but very little flexibility when it comes to point guards, shooting guards and small forwards.
A direct trade might cost the Lakers a significant price. However, LA can capitalize on the Miami Heat and Kevin Durant's mutual interest. According to Marc Stein, the Heat are in legitimate pursuit of Durant, who is willing to sign a long-term extension in South Beach.
The Heat will need a third team to facilitate more assets heading to Phoenix in a trade. Andrew Wiggins' contract seems expendable, considering there could be a logjam in the wing spots if they add Durant. Wiggins also has a hefty contract, so it would be wise for the Heat to move on from him and essentially replace him with Durant.
NBA Trade Rumors: How LA Lakers can land Andrew Wiggins in a Miami Heat-Kevin Durant trade
The LA Lakers have interesting assets at their disposal this offseason. One of their strengths in negotiations would be expiring contracts of multiple players. Rui Hachmiura appears to be one of the most intriguing assets because of it. He will make $18.2 million next season, which is key in helping the Lakers make moves this summer.
The Heat will likely only take on Durant's contract in a trade with the Phoenix Suns. So, keeping that in mind, a third partner in the Lakers could make sense. LA can send expiring contracts to the Suns, allowing Phoenix to not only have a couple of pieces that can keep it competitive but also provide financial flexibility in 2026 free agency.
The Lakers can solve the potential Andrew Wiggins for the Heat and the Suns through this. Here's how a three-team trade could look:
Heat recieve
- Kevin Durant
Suns recieve
- Rui Hachimura
- Maxi Kleber
- Jaime Jaquez Jr.
- Duncan Robinson
- 2025 first-round pick #20 (via Heat)
- 2025 second-round pick #55 (via Lakers)
- 2026 first-round pick (via Heat)
Lakers recieve
- Andrew Wiggins
The Suns get three wings, 6-foot-7 or taller, with Hachimura, Robinson and Jaquez Jr., who can create shots and are respectable defenders. Kleber is also a decent addition as an expiring, considering the team's need at the center position. He's not one of the most coveted bigs, but as someone who can stretch the floor at that position, he could be a useful player under new coach Jordan Ott.
Hachimura, Robinson and Kleber are on expiring deals. Phoenix can shed money as soon as next year. The Suns can also flip Hachimura and Robinson for draft assets at the deadline. Teams are constantly looking for 3-point shooting threats, and both qualify in that aspect. They are also proven playoff performers.
The Suns can retain them beyond next season if they wish to and build a deep roster around franchise centerpiece Devin Booker. Two first-round picks over the next two drafts and a second would be an ideal return for Phoenix in a Durant trade. With one of them being the 20th pick in this year's draft, the Suns will have a solid chance to draft a high-upside prospect.