The Los Angeles Lakers did quite a bit of work to improve their roster ahead of the 2025-26 NBA season.
With the signatures of Deandre Ayton and Marcus Smart, the Lakers in Los Angeles are certainly in a better place than last season.
Additionally, the Lakers also convinced Luka Donsic to sign a three-year, $165 million contract extension. With these moves, it appears Rob Pelinka and Co. are ready for the 2025-26 NBA season.
However, the Lakers have traded more than $40 million in expired deals this season (excluding LeBron James’ $52.6 million contract).
The expiry of contracts helps purple and gold maintain the flexibility of trade heading into the season.
But in what scenario will the Lakers consider saying goodbye to players about contract expiration? NBA insider Marc Stein shared his honest views with the same.
“Some of the Lakers’ unwillingness has been thawed in the early stages of the offseason to consider trading contracts that will grow beyond the 2025-26 season,” the insider wrote in Steinline.
He added:
“Are you like a player who is likely interested in the Lakers? My reading (if Miami makes him available): Andrew Wiggins.”
Last season, the Miami Heat split up by trading Jimmy Butler for the Golden State Warriors. In exchange, the Heat received the package around Andrew Wiggins.
Wiggins is a great player, but he certainly doesn’t fit the Heat’s current timeline, as the franchise is likely to be built around Tyler Hero.
At 30, Wiggins is still at the height of his career. Obviously, championship competitors like the Lakers can use his talent.
Stein believes he wasn’t seriously interested in Wiggins until the Lakers signed a massive contract extension with the team.
“I wouldn’t have categorized him as a potential purple and gold target before Donsic’s long-term future was secured, but things are different now,” Stein said.
“So, in the coming weeks or months, if heat decides to prioritize financial flexibility and reduce pay, the Lakers will be interested,” he concluded.
For context, Wiggins will earn $28.2 million for the 2025-26 season. He also has a $30.2 million player option for the season beyond that.
As fever enters a new era, President Pat Reilly may consider getting Wiggins’ deals from the book as soon as possible.