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Andrew Wiggins #22 of the Miami Heat interacts with fans after defeating the Chicago Bulls during the NBA Play-In Tournament.
The Miami Heat have no plans to trade Andrew Wiggins ahead of the 2025-26 season, despite renewed interest from the Los Angeles Lakers as training camp approaches, ClutchPoints’ Brett Siegel reports.
“After engaging in talks for Wiggins before the NBA Summer League in July, Lakers executive Rob Pelinka has since tried to reignite conversations with Riley and the Heat,” Siegel wrote. “At this time, Miami holds no desire to trade Wiggins… They are evaluating his production and fit before the trade deadline.”
The Heat’s asking price for Wiggins remains high, with the Lakers reportedly unwilling to meet it, according to Siegel and ClutchPoints’ Anthony Irwin.
Trade Talks Stall Over Assets
Irwin detailed the previous negotiations, noting that Miami’s requests included a first-round pick, which the Lakers balked at.
“One story and the one that I heard more directly was that the Miami Heat were asking for Rui Hachimura,” Irwin said on his podcast, The Lakers Lounge. “They were asking for a first-round pick. They were asking for Gabe Vincent, whom they like, and potentially also Dalton Knecht. The Lakers, I think, would be fine moving on from Dalton for Wiggins. They would obviously also be fine moving on from Gabe Vincent for Andrew Wiggins.
“And I also think they would probably be mostly fine moving off of Rui Hachimura for Andrew Wiggins, but they definitely did not want to include Rui and the one first-round pick that they can move this season. And so that was where again I heard directly that those talks kind of broke down.”
Currently, the Lakers’ draft flexibility is limited, with one tradable first-round pick (2031 or 2032) and a 2032 second-round pick. Another first-rounder becomes available next offseason.
The renewed interest came on the heels of NBA insider Marc Stein’s report identifying Wiggins as a target for the Lakers after Luka Dončić signed a long-term extension with Los Angeles.
“League sources say L.A. would indeed have interest in adding a two-way swingman who can raise their ceiling,” Stein wrote in his The Stein Line newsletter on Sept. 8. “The sort of player who is likely to interest the Lakers? My read (if Miami were to make him available): Andrew Wiggins.”
Wiggins’ Role Heightened by Herro Injury
The Heat acquired Wiggins from the Golden State Warriors last season in the Jimmy Butler trade, hoping his two-way ability would strengthen their championship aspirations. Wiggins averaged 19.0 points, 4.2 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 1.1 steals, and 1.0 blocks in 17 regular-season games for Miami. However, his production fell sharply during the Heat’s first-round playoff sweep by the Cleveland Cavaliers, dropping to 11.5 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game.
Despite that, Miami values his two-way skill set and expects him to remain a cornerstone in the rotation.
With starting guard Tyler Herro recovering from surgery on his left foot and expected to miss the start of the upcoming season, Wiggins’ presence becomes even more crucial for the Heat’s backcourt stability and championship aspirations.
As Miami begins training camp with Herro out for eight weeks, the team is balancing roster stability with developmental and contractual considerations. Wiggins is off-limits for now, and Herro’s recovery timeline will shape early rotations. The Heat aim to integrate their pieces while keeping championship contention intact.
Alder Almo is a sports journalist covering the NBA for Heavy.com. He has more than 20 years of experience in local and international media, including broadcast, print and digital. He previously covered the Knicks for Empire Sports Media and the NBA for Off the Glass. Alder is from the Philippines and is now based in Jersey City, New Jersey. More about Alder Almo
