The Lakers are open to upgrading on the wing if they can find a player who contributes on both ends of the court and is capable of helping the team raise its ceiling, Marc Stein reports for The Stein Line (Substack link).
Stein cautions that Los Angeles isn’t looking to trade just for the sake of revamping the roster, but the Lakers are hoping the right opportunity presents itself in the coming months.
According to Stein, the Lakers were believed to be reluctant to take on anything more than expiring contracts earlier in the offseason, but that stance has “thawed somewhat.” Several weeks ago, multiple reports stated that L.A. was prioritizing preserving cap room for the summer of 2027.
Stein points to Andrew Wiggins as the type of player the Lakers are likely to be interested in, though it’s unclear if the Heat would move him, having recently sent signals that the team expects the former No. 1 overall pick to open the season in Miami. But if the Heat eventually decide to trim their payroll, Wiggins is a name to watch.
Wiggins will earn about $28.2MM in 2025/26, with a $30.2MM player option for 2026/27.
Stein hears the possibility of Wiggins being pursued by the Lakers gained steam after Luka Doncic signed a three-year extension in early August.
Reporting earlier this summer indicated that the Lakers had checked in with the Heat about Wiggins, but found Miami’s asking price to be “pretty high.” Dan Woike of The Athletic reported in mid-July that he was “pretty confident” the Lakers weren’t interested in Wiggins, though that was a few weeks before Doncic’s extension.
Oubre is cheap, available, and would strengthen their rotation’s perimeter defense.
Oubre is not very good on defense. But maybe for Lakers he’s still an upgrade.
Oubre knows how to put up inefficient shots, and that’s about it
Hang in there, true Lakers fans. Things are looking up. Only one more year – if that – of Brawny Sensation.
Every team is open to upgrading on the wing if they can a player who contributes on both ends of the court and is capable of helping the team raise its ceiling,
Exactly, lol. That is literally the most desirable role player type currently in the NBA. Even tanking teams that don’t plan to compete anytime soon draft switchable two-way wings, because they have value.
But those players are the most expensive in trades and are hardest to get. Losing DFS was a big blow to LAL.
@ Peter
They didn’t even try to keep DFS. He’s a bargain at ~$13 mil
Just need a 3 and D guy who can handle the ball dunk and defend the post
100% true. Just like when I see an MLB team is looking to upgrade their pitching staff post.
Everybody wants good two-way wings.
Sixers would ship out Oubre and Drummond for Maxi or Vandy.
Vandys the worst contract of the bunch
But if he can once again play lock down D like he did on Steph in 23…
Vandy never played lock down D on Steph even one time.
Dood – you have a very selective memory. Vanderbilt did some good work on Steph in that series that the dubs LOST. I don’t think there is a lot of locking down Steph but the Lakers scheme wrecked havoc on the dubs and Steph in particular who went 10 for 39 combined in the final three games of that series. But you probably think that was Kerr’s fault.
Curry still led both teams in PPG, so stop smoking pcp anytime.
Klay, Wiggins and Poole all played terribly, Dubs lost in 6. Kerr found 30 mins in the series for Lamb and Baldwin, more playing time that should have gone to Kuminga, but Kerr gotta Kerr and starts GP2 3 times, when he was washed. Dubs should have won that series had Kerr given Lamb, GP2 and Baldwin’s minutes to Kuminga = fact. Kerr definitely to blame.
Amazing analysis.
Malik Beasley, a headache worth the minimum
Beasley doesn’t contribute much on defense.
Is Wiggins even better than Rui plus Vincent, which is almost certainly what they would have to return to Miami?
Yes, but not a first Rd picks worth Imo
Wiggins comes with a little mental risk as well, if that wasn’t present and Lakers front office was in gung ho mode (they don’t seem to be; wisely Imo) Id say it be worth the gamble for both parties, but as it stands I think its better for both teams to just see where they are come late January
Heat seem to love Wiggins.
One word. Tantalizing.
I think that’s the Pat Riley effect. Every player of his will only be traded for a “high” price because of course they’re all superstars.
going to be hard for the lakers to trade since they are already at the tax apron and have very little to trade in players.
Just wait till mid Jan would be my advice. Way too many sliding scales currently to make a move
We could be sellers for all we know then. That 31 first combined with the other 2 avail next June for trade has to have a large (ish) bounty on it . Wiggins isn’t that or worth jeopardizing that mystery box today
Taking on Wiggins. Means beyond Bron. He would make a nice addition to Lukas Team lols. Seems Heat are asking for a lot.
link to lakersnation.com
Just give LaRavia the minutes – dude’s high energy, busts his ass on D, and shoots the 3 well.
Agree…LaRavia is a sneaky good pick up for sure.
Too bad they missed out on Cam Johnson, eh?
Kyle Kuzma makes sense…
Was very inefficient last season with the bucks but as a laker was solid as a third option on their title run a few years back. Would be the perfect buy low option for the likely desperate Bucks
Clippers offer John Collins, Zubac, Kobe Brown, someone, cash and picks for LeBron James, Hayes or Ayton and LeBron James Jr
Cleveland offers Hunter, Strus, Proctor, Lonzo Ball, Wade and picks for LeBron James and LeBron James Jr