The Los Angeles Lakers' inactivity before the Feb. 5 trade deadline could come back to haunt them if they don’t make any late trade-season moves.
Luckily for the Lakers, their primary trade targets are still on the board in late January, prompting Lake Show Life’s Svyatoslav Rovenchuk to craft a three-team trade involving Ja Morant that would land the franchise a former Golden State Warriors NBA champion and All-Star.
“Lakers could land their 3-and-D upgrade by rerouting Andrew Wiggins,” Rovenchuk wrote last Friday.
“If Los Angeles wanted to make their push, Wiggins is probably as good as they can get before Feb. 5. The Lakers had interest in the (Miami) Heat forward during the summer, but the asking price from Miami was too high in a potential deal between both sides.”
“Here, all three parties involved could come away satisfied. Miami gets a star they can try to relight (Ja Morant). Memphis (Grizzlies) gets their out from a failing situation, and only eat short-term money to do so. Los Angeles gets a supporting act who should fair well with this iteration of the team.”
With Wiggins being one of the most experienced and proven two-wing ways on the trade market, the Lakers should do everything in their power to acquire him from the Heat this season.
The Kansas product’s career took a positive turn upon joining the Warriors in 2020, as he showed he could finally contribute to winning at the highest level. Wiggins captured a championship with the Dubs in 2022, allowing him to achieve the team success he missed out on with the Minnesota Timberwolves.
While Golden State moved on from Wiggins midway through the 2024-25 campaign, his play on the hardwood hasn’t deteriorated drastically.
The 2022 All-Star is averaging 15.8 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 1.2 steals per game with the Heat this year, shooting 46.6% from the field and 40.2% from three-point land.
Assuming the Lakers want to improve their perimeter shooting and defense moving forward, they’ll keep a close eye on Wiggins’ situation in Miami.
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