The Los Angeles Lakers have spent most of this offseason hovering around the rumor mill, tied to any notable name that can hit the trade market. It’s no secret that Rob Pelinka and the front office are desperate to find the right wing piece to fit in next to Luka Doncic and LeBron James; someone who can defend, score, and fit in wherever required.

That’s why the whispers around Andrew Wiggins are so prominent. The Miami Heat’s former All-Star is the perfect fit for the Lakers, and league insiders have been reporting that they’re keeping close tabs on the situation. For a franchise short on assets, striking the balance between timing and opportunity will be the deciding factor for whether they can remain contenders or fall behind in a tough Western Conference.

Many of these moves are happening outside LA. Miami recently made a trade, dumping Haywood Highsmith’s $5.5 million contract to Brooklyn, which caught analysts off guard. “I didn’t understand why Miami did this deal, or why the Heat felt the urgency to do it in late summer rather than during the season,” wrote The Athletic’s John Hollinger, stressing how unusual the timing was. “Even with Highsmith on the books, the Heat were only going to be $3 million into the tax with all 15 roster spots filled — a completely manageable number if they wanted to get under in-season. Highsmith wasn’t dead money. He had positive value on that contract and likely could have brought back a second-round pick at the deadline. Instead, Miami gave one up to get rid of him.”

The move’s analysis has fueled speculation that Miami is bracing for something bigger. Clearing salary now gives them the flexibility to stay patient with Wiggins, waiting until his value goes up in the season. Reports have confirmed that the Lakers are interested, but have also noted that Miami is extremely unlikely to move him before January, preferring to shop him closer to the deadline, when trade offers will peak.

For the Lakers, that’s where the tension is. Wiggins is the exact archetype of the player they need, but Miami holds all the leverage here, and the Lakers’ shortage of draft picks means they’ll have to contend with rival bidders in a crowded market.

Lakers Wiggins Pursuit Faces New Roadblock

The market for Andrew Wiggins has already been complicated by timing. Miami is willing to bet on him recouping his value in-season, thus netting a higher return instead of offloading him for less now. This strategy delays any potential deal while also potentially inflating his price if he has an uptick in his production.

The Lakers are playing a dangerous game. They’re the most aggressive suitor for Wiggins, but their draft-pick chest only has one tradable pick (2031), and sending away assets like Rui Hachimura or Dalton Knecht could thin the Lakers‘ bench unit too far.

This is why the ripple effects of the Highsmith salary dump are so large. By already starting to clear salary, the Heat are improving their negotiating ability. They know that they’re not under any financial pressure to offload Wiggins. For the Lakers, this means that patience is their only option, unless they’re willing to overpay before the market heats up.