The league-shattering introduction of ex-Dallas Mavericks superstar and 5-time All-NBA First Team selection Luka Dončić to the Los Angeles Lakers ushered in a new, wildly exciting era for the storied franchise last season.
Los Angeles' front office began to surround Dončić with suitable supporting pieces this offseason, as their general manager Rob Pelinka came to agreements with 2022 Defensive Player of the Year Marcus Smart and the former No. 1 overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft Deandre Ayton in free agency.
Though the Lakers were able to net a few key signings this past summer, there's still one big fish that Pelinka could soon cast the line out for once the season gets underway. The fish in question is ex-Golden State Warriors All-Star and NBA champion, Andrew Wiggins.
The skilled 30-year-old wing and former No. 1 overall pick in the 2014 NBA Draft has built quite the resume, and it's plausible to believe he could fit right into the Lakers' plans. However, according to a recent report, Los Angeles might want to take their time before contacting the Miami Heat for a trade and use the immediate future to evaluate the play of Ayton first.
"Hollywood is dreaming up the perfect blockbuster right now with the rumors of Andrew Wiggins being a trade target for the Los Angeles Lakers swirling," FanSided's Svyatoslav Rovenchuk wrote Monday.
"Before Rob Pelinka can make that big move, the Lakers general manager will need to know if Deandre Ayton is the solution at starting center."
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"Pelinka will only get so many cracks at improving the roster before the eventual 2026 NBA trade deadline. That is why seeing what they have in Ayton is integral to the process."
A two-way wing of Wiggins' caliber would give the Lakers a wonderfully versatile option at the small forward position, but Pelinka's drained asset pool will put the team in a somewhat precarious position as the 2026 trade deadline nears.
If Ayton's numbers take a hit and it becomes clear that he's not fit to man the starting center spot for the Lakers on both ends of the floor, Pelinka will have to scrounge together his few remaining trade pieces to hastily locate a replacement.
Even still, the prospect of trading for Wiggins immediately is a tempting one for Los Angeles' front office. Through 60 appearances in 2024-25 while splitting time with the Warriors and Heat after his inclusion in Golden State's blockbuster trade for Jimmy Butler, Wiggins contributed 18.0 points, 4.5 rebounds, 1.0 steals and 0.8 blocks while connecting on 37.4% of his three-point attempts.
Wiggins remains an attractive trade target for the Lakers, but Pelinka's aggressiveness with regard to getting a deal across the finish line with the Heat ultimately depends on Ayton and his impact on winning.
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