Everything the Miami Heat are doing this offseason is clearly geared toward prioritizing flexibility and assets for their next superstar chase. We don’t know the when, how, or who. But we know signing or trading for a star is the endgame. And it just so happens Andrew Wiggins’ looming contract decision could clue us into the when and how.

The 30-year-old holds a $30.1 million player option next summer. If he declines it, he enters unrestricted free agency, and hands Miami a bunch of cap space. If he picks it up, he arms the Heat with a sizable expiring contract to flip in trades.

That’s merely the gist of Wiggins’ influence. It goes much deeper, particularly when you’re looking at when Miami might try to land a superstar.

Andrew Wiggins holds key to the Heat’s cap-space timeline

So many assume the Heat are looking toward the summer of 2027. That’s when they could have nine figures’ worth of cap space, provided they hold off on extending Tyler Herro this fall.

Those projections may underestimate Miami’s timeline. After signing Davion Mitchell to a two-year deal, they could open up somewhere between $10 and $15 million in cap space next summer, depending on where their first-round pick lands. That number skyrockets past $40 million if Wiggins declines his player option.

Most will bet against him hitting the open market. More teams have cap space next summer, but there’s no guarantee free agency will be feeding frenzy. Yet, Wiggins’ embodies a coveted archetype: a 6’7” wing who can capably defend multiple positions, and hit threes. It also helps that he’s not ancient. A three- or four-year deal shouldn’t outlast his prime, and even if he’s not getting $30 million per season, a longer contract can guarantee him more total money.

Granted, the cap-space route may not be right for the Heat in 2026. Plenty of top free agents have already come off the board by signing extensions, including Luka Doncic, Mikal Bridges, Jalen Williams, Chet Holmgren, Paolo Banchero, etc. Except, cap space isn’t just about signing players. It can be used to facilitate trades.

Let’s use Giannis Antetokounmpo as an example. The Milwaukee Bucks will no doubt want tons of picks and prospects if he requests a trade. They also may want immediate cap relief—not in the form of expiring contacts, but instant savings. After all, they are paying Damian Lillard around $22.5 million for the next half-decade…

Wiggins’ contract can also influence Miami’s trade options and timeline

This isn’t just about cap space. Nor is it also only about moving Wiggins as an expiring contract next summer. His plans for that player option will directly impact the appeal of Miami’s top-shelf trade offers this season.

This can play out in one of two ways: If Wiggins plans to exercise his player option, he becomes more valuable to teams interested in keeping him beyond 2025-26. If he intends to decline it and enter free agency, he piques the attention of squads in the market for cap relief after this season.

People will remain inclined to craft deals around Terry Rozier’s expiring salary. Wiggins’ situation isn’t just more intriguing. It’s flat-out more impactful.

Larger salaries belonging to players who can be re-traded or integrated into a new team’s plans are always more valuable. Rozier’s deal fails to meet that benchmark. Wiggins, on the other hand, easily clears that bar—in more ways than one.