Andrew Wiggins trade suitors are not hard to find. The Miami Heat will invariably disappoint all of them by making it clear he’s not someone they’ll move in a salary dump.
This is different from declaring him untouchable. Wiggins is not that. But there already appears to be a disconnect between what he’s worth, and what Miami would accept to deal him.
Take the latest rumblings from NBA insider Marc Stein over at The Stein Line. He says that the Los Angeles Lakers “ would have interest if the Heat, in coming weeks or months, decide to prioritize financial flexibility and look to reduce payroll.”
This is an LMFAO moment for the Heat, and their fans. Los Angeles’ interest is framed as if it’s prepared to do Miami a favor. Wiggins is not someone you unload to save money.
Never mind that wings who make threes and can cover around three positions are typically considered assets. Wiggins’ contract is not a roadblock to the Heat’s flexibility.
The Heat don’t need to trade Andrew Wiggins for cap space
Yes, the 11-year veteran’s salary may be a tad inflated relative to what he provides. Almost everything about his game is subject to inconsistency, right down to his rebounding. You’d like more certainty, at both ends, for someone earning just over $28.2 million.
Still, even if the Heat aren’t sold on Wiggins as a contributor, his contract could come off the books after this season. He holds a $30.2 million player option for 2026-27. While teams on the open market probably won’t match or exceed this price point, he could sign a deal worth less per year that guarantees him more total money over the longer term.
In the event Wiggins does opt out, Miami’s financial flexibility will take care of itself. With both him and Terry Rozier’s expiring deal wiping off the ledger, the Heat would have a clear path to over $30 million in space.
Sure, flipping Wiggins to the Lakers or another team in exchange for expiring contracts can take the guesswork out of the equation. This presumes Miami wants to create cap space next summer. We can’t be sure that’s the case.
Cap space is overrated
If anything, the Heat seem less concerned about financial flexibility in 2026, and are more intent on carving out space for the 2027 offseason. Wiggins’ contract isn’t a potential obstacle when following this timeline. Tyler Herro extension negotiations are the bigger sticking point.
Even that may overstate the importance of Miami’s flexibility. Wiggins may have more value to the superstar pursuit as a salary-matching tool. Stars are not changing teams via free agency anymore. Cap space can be used for more than signings, but when’s the last time you saw a cornerstone get shipped out for a package built entirely around financial savings?
Stockpiling picks, prospects, and movable salaries is more important for the Heat. They are actual trade assets, and more likely to help the front office acquire a superstar than cap flexibility.
Jettisoning Wiggins can work in service of that vision. If the Lakers start dangling first-round picks, Miami has an obligation to listen. But if Los Angeles and other potential suitors are expecting the Heat to offload their best three-and-D wing for cap space they don’t need, well, they’re in for a rude awakening.
