By Gabe Smallson
Copyright newsweek
The Los Angeles Lakers have been linked to a blockbuster trade with the Miami Heat, but according to a team insider, there is a new update in the saga.While the purple and gold are searching for more perimeter defense and another scorer to add to their squad, All-Star small forward Andrew Wiggins has been circled as the centerpiece of the would-be deal.More news: 76ers Forward Sends Harsh Message to Philadelphia Amid Trade RumorsLakers insider Jovan Buha spoke on the likelihood of a trade materializing between the two teams, but also on whether the potential assets are worth parting ways with for Wiggins.Buha mentioned that the Lakers are likely going to need to give up a first-round pick, something that LA has been known to want to keep — but the haul doesn’t end there.”I’m currently skeptical that they could pull off a Wiggins trade without including a first,” Buha said. “I don’t know if Rui [Hachimura] and Dalton [Knecht] is enough or Rui, Dalton, and Gabe [Vincent], something like that. I don’t think that’s enough. My understanding is they are still hesitant to put a first-round pick on the table.”More news: Former Warriors Star Trolls Draymond Green on Social MediaBuha discussed how there may be urgency attached to pushing a deal through the finish line before the season starts, but he sees LA waiting until mid-December, when those who have signed contracts over the summer can be trade-eligible.”Sometimes teams pick up talks right before camp to try and get something figured out so that player can be there for media day, the start of camp, etc,” Buha explained. “So, I would assume there’d be some urgency here to try and figure something out before the beginning of camp. I wouldn’t rule that out. But I would say that the most likely outcome continues to be them going into the season with this group and potentially making a move at the earliest, around that December 15th mark.”Wiggins will be 31 next February and has a $30 million player option going into the 2026-27 season. For these reasons and more, Buha believes that there are better options to put on the roster for LA.”I think it would have to be a long-term upgrade, a long-term piece to put next to Luka Doncic,” Buha added. “I don’t think Andrew Wiggins quite reaches that level in their eyes.”More news: Warriors’ Steph Curry Receives Major Disrespect From NBA Champion GuardFor all the latest NBA news and rumors, head over to Newsweek Sports.
