The Los Angeles Lakers may have snapped a brief losing stretch with a 115–107 victory over the Denver Nuggets on Tuesday night, but the win did little to ease growing anxiety about the team’s overall roster direction.
Injuries have been a constant issue throughout the season, frequently forcing lineup changes and preventing any real continuity. After dropping nine of their last 16 games and managing only three wins in a recent eight-game span, the Lakers appear to be heading the wrong way, with the play-in tournament increasingly becoming a realistic scenario.
As a result, league sources expect general manager Rob Pelinka to be aggressive ahead of the February 5 trade deadline, with the front office prioritizing dependable two-way wing players.
One familiar target has once again emerged in trade discussions.
Lakers Keep Close Watch on Andrew Wiggins
Los Angeles has been connected to Andrew Wiggins for several years and reportedly walked away from negotiations last summer after declining Miami’s request for two rotation players and a first-round pick. However, that interest has not faded.
HoopsHype NBA insider Michael Scotto recently noted that the Lakers remain in the mix as the deadline approaches.
“Andrew Wiggins has been linked to the Los Angeles Lakers—they need a 3-and-D guy,” Scotto said on the CBS Podcast. “Anyone in that market is going to draw interest in Wiggins.”
Scotto also highlighted Miami’s long-term outlook, noting that the Heat are keeping flexibility in case Giannis Antetokounmpo becomes available this summer. With Wiggins playing well and remaining durable, Miami has little incentive to move him unless it significantly benefits their future plans.
Through 39 games this season, Wiggins is averaging 15.8 points, 4.9 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.2 steals, and 1.0 block per game, while shooting 46.5 percent from the field and a career-best 39.8 percent from three-point range.
Those numbers align closely with the Lakers’ needs. Los Angeles ranks 25th in defensive rating and sits 23rd in three-pointers made per game, converting just 34.1 percent from deep. Wiggins’ two-way impact could help address both shortcomings.
Financial Hurdles and Limited Assets
As Scotto pointed out, Wiggins’ contract presents a major challenge. He is earning $28.2 million this season and owns a $30 million player option for 2026–27, making him a key salary piece for Miami should they pursue Antetokounmpo if he seeks an exit from Milwaukee.
For the Lakers, constructing a viable offer would likely rely on expiring contracts such as Rui Hachimura ($18.2 million), Gabe Vincent ($11.5 million), and Maxi Kleber ($11 million). However, league interest in those contracts has reportedly been minimal.
Adding to the difficulty, second-year guard Dalton Knecht has struggled significantly, hurting his trade value, according to The Athletic’s Dan Woike.
These limitations have sparked speculation that the Lakers are attempting to bolster their draft assets. Currently, they can trade only one of their 2031 or 2032 first-round picks.
Kevin O’Connor of Yahoo! Sports reported that Los Angeles has explored packaging Jarred Vanderbilt with Gabe Vincent in pursuit of a wing, while also shopping their 2032 first-round pick in hopes of acquiring multiple first-round selections.
The Lakers have previously been linked to several wing options, including Herb Jones, Trey Murphy III, Keon Ellis, De’Andre Hunter, and Miles Bridges.
If Los Angeles can successfully turn a future first-rounder into multiple assets, it could provide the flexibility needed to land Wiggins—or another impact wing—capable of steering the franchise back toward contention.
Leave a Reply