If the Lakers had a nickel for every time a rival had a high asking price, they’d have two nickels—which isn’t a lot, but it’s weird that it happened twice.
The purple and gold are active on the trade front and engaged in talks around Heat wing Andrew Wiggins last week. Those discussions, however, have hit a snag with a remarkable request for the 30-year-old forward.
Lakers, Heat Trade Talks Stalled Over Unreasonable Asking Price
Report: Heat Asking for Two LA Forwards and First-Round Pick
According to Lakers insider Jovan Buha, the Heat are attempting to get their money’s worth for Wiggins, looking to pry Rui Hachimura, Dalton Knecht and a first-round pick from LA.
“I don’t know if Gabe Vincent, Maxi Kleber, Shake Milton & a first gets you Andrew Wiggins. I’ve shared what I’ve heard which is that Miami has been asking for a first & Dalton Knecht. I think they also want Rui Hachimura too because they want to remain competitive.”
ClutchPoints’ Anthony Irwin has also confirmed that trading the future first-rounder is “a no-go for the Lakers.”
While the team was previously willing to deal Knecht and draft capital, the front office was reportedly split over trading Hachimura, among other key players. A reliable starting power forward, Hachimura is coming off a 13-point, five-rebound-per-game season for LA, and won many over with his effort during an otherwise lackluster playoff series. Starting all five first-round games against the Minnesota Timberwolves, Hachimura put up a career-high 14.8 points, along with 4.6 rebounds and one assist per game on .491/.484/1.000 splits.
Laker fans are far from amused when it comes to possibly trading Hachimura.
Rui Hachimura is just as good as Andrew Wiggins. Different players and Wiggins fills more of the Lakers holes, but they should have the same value.
Tall, consistent shooters are super valuable.
— Lakers Insiders (@LALInsiders) July 3, 2025
Man Riley is nuts https://t.co/GP1zw6igI4
— Laker Central (@LakerCentral365) July 3, 2025
Rui needs to still be a Laker.. that’s all I know! Anybody saying he should be traded is out of their minds.. because look at the material! pic.twitter.com/cQtb3sITCL
— Mýa Melody (@MyaMelody7) July 3, 2025
Wiggins Trade May Not be Worth it for the Lakers
While Wiggins would plug various holes as a 3-and-D wing, the Heat’s demands are too much for the Lakers, especially as they look toward their own future with Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves and (for now) LeBron James.
Wiggins was moved to Miami as part of a blockbuster package for Jimmy Butler, However, back then, Riley was right to ask for a large haul in exchange for a six-time All-Star, five-time All-NBA and five-time All-Defensive Team selection. Wiggins, though talented in his own right with a championship, All-Star appearance and Rookie of the Year award under his belt, should not warrant the same return as a player of Butler’s magnitude—especially since he’s 30 and not getting any younger. Despite an 18 PPG season on .448/.374/.763 splits, Wiggins flamed out in the playoffs, posting 11.5 points on .372/.350/.700 shooting.
Similar to the Walker Kessler dilemma with Utah, if Riley and the Heat don’t get off their high horse, then Wiggins may not be the one for the Lakers after all. This team knows what happens when expensive trades for stars backfire. Rather than getting greedy around Doncic and James, the Lakers should make sensible deals for solid contributors, and that isn’t the case with Miami right now.
© Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
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