The Los Angeles Lakers have deeper pockets than ever, which means they are likely to be very active In the trade market.
Following the playoff humiliation in 2025, the Bus Family has finally handed over the keys for the Los Angeles Lakers. La Dodgers owner Mark Walter bought the franchise at a $1 billion valuation.
It is expected that many changes will be implemented for the front office level Lakers once Walter takes over the team. These changes could help the Lakers pursue key trade.
Among these targets is Miami Heat star Andrew Wiggins, who is reportedly checking a bunch of boxes for the La Lakers.
That being said, NBA Analytics Network We present a hypothetical deal that will help the Lakers win Wiggins without giving up on Austin Reeves.
- The Los Angeles Lakers receive: Andrew Wiggins
- Miami Heat Receive: Rui Hachimura, Gabe Vincent, 2031’s first round draft pick
There is no doubt that Luka Doncic and Lebron James are the most important players on the roster right now. The duo’s form is dedicated to the Lakers who are likely to win the NBA Championship next season.
However, due to poor playoff performance in 2025, we forget that Austin Reeves is also important to purple and gold. After all, Reaves proved that he could become the team’s number one scoring option on a certain night.
Therefore, in this proposed trade, the Lakers are seizing the trio by saying goodbye to Louis Hachimura and Gabe Vincent, earning Wiggins and leaving the trio intact.
Adding draft picks may seem like an overkill, but keeping in mind the recent Desmond Bain trade, it is unlikely that heat will accept offers without draft compensation.
Wiggins averaged 18.0 points, 4.5 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game during the 2024-25 season. He struggled somewhat with the Golden State Warriors, but Wiggins hit his path after being traded with the heat.
If the Lakers traded him, the 30-year-old could affect both end games, like he did for the Warriors during the 2022 NBA Championship run. Here’s what the previous depth chart will look like if the Lakers and Heat pass through this deal.
Proposed La Lakers Depth Chart:
| Start 5 | bench |
| Luka Donsic | Jordan Goodwin |
| Austin plays | Dalton Knecht |
| Andrew Wiggins | Jarred Vanderbilt |
| LeBron James | Dorian Finney Smith |
| Jackson Hayes | Maxi adhesive |
The Wiggins trade will undoubtedly improve the team’s starting five, but the organization will need a quality center for this lineup to work.
After all, it’s clear that head coach JJ Redick doesn’t trust Jaxson Hayes as the team’s starting center. Plus, it’s rumoured that Hayes will be out in the offseason.
They are reportedly in trade talks with the Utah Jazz to buy John Collins, but the 27-year-old has not played as a center so far.
It could lead to similar issues Anthony Davis faced before trading with the Dallas Mavericks.
The Lakers were able to solve long-standing centre problems by acquiring Walker Kessler. Meanwhile, they managed to test their luck with Warriors Kevon Rooney, who is rumoured to be on their way out of Golden State this offseason.