After previously reporting that the Lakers checked in with the Heat to inquire on Andrew Wiggins‘ price, Anthony Irwin of ClutchPoints says the two teams have continued to explore the possibility of a Wiggins trade, though nothing is imminent.
As Irwin details, Rui Hachimura and his expiring contract would likely be the centerpiece of any deal, with another expiring contract (either Maxi Kleber‘s or Gabe Vincent‘s) necessary for salary-matching purposes. According to Irwin, league sources believe the Heat would also try to push for the inclusion of 2024 first-round pick Dalton Knecht.
A source tells Anthony Chiang and Barry Jackson of The Miami Herald that the Heat are “very open” to moving Wiggins, who was part of last season’s Jimmy Butler trade with Golden State. Trading him for expiring salaries would create additional cap flexibility for Miami in the summer of 2026.
The Lakers are also scouring the trade market for help at the center position, Irwin continues, but he has heard from league sources that the front office believes the asking price for big men so far has been too high. As a result, it’s possible Los Angeles will look to use the $5.7MM taxpayer mid-level exception to address the center position while trying to upgrade other areas of the roster on the trade market, Irwin explains.
Here are a few more trade-related rumors from around the NBA:
- Mikal Bridges‘ and Mitchell Robinson‘s names have surfaced in Knicks trade talks this offseason, according to Frank Isola of YES Network (Twitter link). Bridges and Robinson will also both be eligible to sign contract extensions beginning in July, so I’d expect New York to explore both scenarios before determining how best to move forward.
- Prior to Wednesday’s first round, the Celtics touched base with teams in the lottery, including the Spurs at No. 14, but didn’t end up finding a deal they liked, tweets Ian Begley of SNY.tv. While Jaylen Brown and Derrick White rumors have circulated this week, Sam Hauser is considered Boston’s top current trade candidate — Chris Mannix of SI.com said during an appearance on The Bill Simmons Podcast that there has been a “robust” market for Hauser (Twitter video link).
- The Cavaliers explored the possibility of trading into the first round on Wednesday, with a few picks considered to be available, but didn’t find any opportunities they deemed worthwhile, reports Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com. The team holds the 49th and 58th overall picks on Thurday.
- During a press conference on Wednesday night, Bulls general manager Marc Eversley said Chicago spoke to a few teams about moving up before deciding to stand pat at No. 12 and select Noa Essengue. Everseley added that the Bulls may end up trading tonight’s No. 45 pick or using it on a draft-and-stash prospect (Twitter links via Joe Cowley of The Chicago Sun-Times).
Curious as to what Mitch and Bridges could bring but unless it’s a no-brainer, bet on continuity
The new coach should have a large say in what “continuity” should be. That’s the reason why it was important to sign him before the draft and trade period.
Well that ship has sailed
I’ve never seen anyone more obsessed with cap space than Pat Riley. This dude still thinks its 2012 and he’s going to be getting every star. Giannis isn’t walking through that door in 2026 whether he likes it or not. There’s about 10 other places Giannis would go before the Heat.
Captain, Agreed that Riley seems obsessed with cap space. But South Beach is a preferred destination, probably second only to LA. The lack of state tax helps.
History supports Reily’s optimism. LeBron, Chris Bosh, and Butler (in 2019) all came to MIA as free agents. Luka was rumored to favor going there if he became a FA. Recently KD listed MIA as an option (along with HOU). The Giannis to MIA rumors may be unfounded, but I suspect there’s a grain of truth…
The Bulls need 2 of everything and thought trading up would’ve been a good decision lol. Meanwhile the team one spot back turned that pick into 23 and a high lotto pick next year lol.
Exhibit A of aristotle talking again from his behind.
Dude sure talks a lot for someone who is constantly wrong.
Love to see the Knicks deal for Wolf or Claxton of the Nets and get Donte back from Mjnny.
With Bridges, it’s pretty much the parties agree to an extension or he gets traded. That’s consistent with this NYK FO’s philosophy and Bridges seemed to indicate he understood that. I don’t see a problem. But you have to gauge the market for him until it’s agreed to.
With Mitch, any trade is 90% likely to be a bad one. For the NYK as constituted and built essentially by their prior HC, Mitch is more valuable to the NYK then he would be to most teams. But if there’s a roster reset (probably foolish), things could change. But I hope they at least hire a HC before doing that kind of surgery to the roster. We learned last year, or should have, that its hard to get a playoff ready defensive C at the deadline.