Sources: Heat, Lakers Moving Forward with Andrew Wiggins Trade Talks
In a developing story with major implications for the NBA landscape, league sources confirm that the Miami Heat and Los Angeles Lakers are moving forward with serious trade discussions centered around Golden State Warriors forward Andrew Wiggins. With free agency looming and teams scrambling to reshape their rosters, both franchises are aggressively pursuing a deal that could land the former No. 1 overall pick in a new uniform before July.
The Heat, eager to bolster their wing depth and add a versatile two-way player alongside Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo, have emerged as a leading suitor. Miami has reportedly offered a package that includes veteran sharpshooter Duncan Robinson, the No. 20 pick in the upcoming draft, and future draft compensation. According to league insiders, Miami views Wiggins as a potential missing piece in their quest to return to the NBA Finals after falling short in recent seasons.
Meanwhile, the Lakers have also jumped into the fray. With LeBron James entering Year 22 and Anthony Davis still in his prime, Los Angeles is in win-now mode. The Lakers are said to be exploring a sign-and-trade scenario involving D’Angelo Russell, along with young assets like Rui Hachimura or draft capital, to entice Golden State. L.A. sees Wiggins as an ideal third option—capable of defending elite wings and contributing offensively without disrupting the established hierarchy.
Golden State, on the other hand, finds itself at a crossroads. With Stephen Curry still playing at an All-Star level but the team struggling to recapture its championship form, the Warriors are evaluating every option to retool the roster around their core. Trading Wiggins, who is owed roughly $54 million over the next two seasons, could help create financial flexibility and open up opportunities for younger players like Jonathan Kuminga and Moses Moody to take on expanded roles.
“Golden State isn’t in a rush, but they’re listening. They understand that Wiggins has value—particularly to teams that believe they’re one piece away,” one Western Conference executive told ESPN.
Wiggins, 29, has had a rollercoaster tenure with the Warriors. After being acquired from Minnesota in 2020, he played a key role in the team’s 2022 championship run, providing elite defense and timely scoring. However, his production dipped during the 2023-24 season due to injuries and inconsistent play. Despite the regression, many around the league still see Wiggins as a starting-caliber forward with upside.
Both the Heat and Lakers have clear motivations. Miami, after being swept in the first round by Boston, knows time is ticking on the Butler era. Pat Riley and the front office are hungry to make a splash. The Lakers, meanwhile, need to prove to LeBron that they’re serious about contending—especially with the King likely nearing retirement.
Talks are expected to intensify in the days leading up to the draft, with multiple teams potentially entering the fray should negotiations stall. However, as it stands now, Miami and Los Angeles are at the front of the line.
Whether the Warriors ultimately pull the trigger remains to be seen—but one thing is clear: Andrew Wiggins is firmly on the trade block, and both the Heat and Lakers are pushing to land him.
