The Lakers have spun the tires on trade talks weeks ahead of training camp, revamping their search for two-way wings while coming to grips with what it could cost them.
Report: Potential Pieces of Lakers, Heat Talks Revealed
Sidery: Lakers Open to Moving Knecht in Package for Wiggins
According to Forbes NBA insider Evan Sidery, the Lakers and Heat have “reopened” trade talks around former champion and All-Star Andrew Wiggins, with forward Dalton Knecht once again in the mix.
“Los Angeles is very open to moving former first-round pick Dalton Knecht alongside necessary expiring salary,” Sidery posted on X Saturday. “Miami wants a future first-round pick attached in the package.”
This development comes days after a reported shift in the Lakers’ strategy, as they are now open to receiving long-term salary to build around Luka Doncic.
An athletic three-level scorer who frequently guards opposing stars, Wiggins has returned to the spotlight of Lakers trade rumors months after initial talks went nowhere. With the team’s frontcourt needs still glaring and the season inching closer, many Lakers fans and analysts view him as a legitimate upgrade. However, replies to Sindery’s report drew skepticism over Miami’s asking price.
“Not getting a first because any one on one team trade would have to include Rui,” Fred Robledo, a sports editor for the Southern California News Group, wrote in response. “No way they get Rui, Knecht, filler AND first rounder for 30 year old Wiggins who has an extra years worth of salary.”
Some Lakers fans appeared comfortable with surrendering their lone tradable first-round pick, while others cautioned against it, believing Heat President Pat Riley is “trying to finesse” his former franchise.
The Curious Case of Knecht
Drafted 17th overall in 2024, Knecht has re-emerged in trade rumors months after the rescinded trade that would’ve sent him to Charlotte. Despite a decent rookie campaign (9.1 PPG on 37.6% 3PT), his Summer League struggles significantly affected his trade value.
In six games between Sacramento and Las Vegas, Knecht averaged 11.7 points and 4.8 rebounds on .321/.237/.643 splits. Lakers insider Jovan Buha soon reported that, according to his sources, Knecht was “no longer worth a first-round valuation.”
Did the Lakers Sign Knecht’s Replacement?
With the Lakers potentially leaning toward moving on from Knecht, one question to ponder is who could replace him in the depth chart. Luckily, the team may have inadvertently signed his replacement in the offseason.
Jake LaRavia figures to have a decently sized role in the Lakers rotation as a 3-and-D forward. If Knecht heads out the door in favor of Wiggins, those expectations may be expedited on a team with championship aspirations.
The 23-year-old combo forward averaged 6.9 points on .475/.423/.678 splits with the Kings last season. In the last couple of years, he quietly improved as a perimeter threat off the catch while making some strides on defense. Inked to a two-year, $12 million deal with the Lakers, the goal is for him to put it all together into a successful stint in LA.
The Lakers got some Wing depth by adding Jake LaRavia, who showed some improvement defensive impact, Off-Ball Shot Making, and Half Court Shot Making over his 23-24 season.
LA is hoping LaRavia can put together his Offensive impact from 23-24 and his Defensive impact from 24-25… pic.twitter.com/AfTrocFDUG
— BBall Index (@The_BBall_Index) September 7, 2025
Breakout Year for LaRavia?
LaRavia holds plenty of promise as a solid rotational wing, but HoopsHype’s Michael Shearer thinks he can go one step further, including him on a list of seven breakout candidates for next season. Shearer noted that LaRavia “is in a prime position to feast” alongside Doncic, LeBron James, and Austin Reaves.
“LaRavia will likely slot in as a high-minutes backup wing who can play anything from the two to the four. That flexibility should help him earn plenty of court time for a Lakers team that’s still rather top-heavy. LaRavia shot 42 percent from deep last season and posted career-best passing, rebounding, and defensive numbers on a per-possession basis. … He’s usually a hiding spot for an opponent’s worst defender, but LaRavia is 6-foot-8. He’s capable of bullying if he has a size mismatch, and he’s a crafty off-ball mover.”
Time will tell if Shearer’s prediction holds true, but LaRavia certainly has the tools to make a deep impact on the Lakers’ wing rotation—a role that’s become more defined given Knecht’s glaring status.
© Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
The post Report: Potential Pieces of Lakers, Heat Talks Revealed appeared first on Last Word On Basketball.