The 2025-26 NBA Season is just a month away. Yet, the trade market is far from staying silent. Well, how could that even be possible when the Los Angeles Lakers are neck-deep in it? Now, there’s one thing you should understand about Rob Pelinka’s mentality so far: the win-now, win-it-all mentality. LA wants to revive the glories of the past. And with Luka Doncic’s name sealed with a $165 million extension, Pelinka is dreaming big. Hence, Pat Riley’s precious gem, Andrew Wiggins, is in sight.

Just a week ago, NBA insider Marc Stein wrote in his newsletter that the Lakers’ front office is actively seeking tradeable wings. And while the Miami Heat would likely steep their demands, a conversation at the table isn’t off at all, especially if the price and timing are right.

Now, on Saturday, the NBA contributor for Forbes, Evan Sidery, tweeted: “The Heat and Lakers have reopened discussions on a potential Andrew Wiggins trade ahead of training camp. Los Angeles is very open to moving former first-round pick Dalton Knecht alongside necessary expiring salary. Miami wants a future first-round pick attached in the package.”

The Miami Heat and Lakers are circling Andrew Wiggins again, with camp closing in. Los Angeles is dangling Dalton Knecht plus expiring deals, but Miami insists on an extra first-rounder. The purple and gold carry prized picks from 2026 through 2032, yet already owe pieces in 2027, 2029, and 2030. Layer in swap rights and seconds, and the jigsaw gets messy. Every clause matters before signatures appear.

Miami, meanwhile, holds its own strong war chest of picks across 2026 through 2032, though tangled obligations with Atlanta, Charlotte, Oklahoma City, and Washington complicate the equation. Still, the Heat have room. Their payroll stands $23 million under the second apron, giving them leverage and exceptions. The Lakers sit near $200 million, about $19 to $20 million shy of that line, and absorbing Wiggins’ $36.9 million demands a sweetener.

The Lakers’ pursuit of Andrew Wiggins may carry more weight than a simple roster upgrade. Reports suggest Luka Doncic, the 26-year-old Slovenian sensation, is steering this push behind the scenes. Insider Jovan Buha notes the front office’s moves reflect Doncic’s influence, turning speculation into a storyline worth watching closely.

Luka Doncic is seemingly stirring the pot around the Lakers’ chase for Andrew Wiggins

Jovan Buha went live and revealed a layered truth. Luka Doncic has made it known he desires stronger wings, and the Lakers are weighing that call. Whether Wiggins or another fit, the pressure is real. Yet Los Angeles also tests the waters, gauging if Miami will trim its steep demands. The season nears, negotiations heat up, and middle ground looks like the only escape.

The ex-Dallas superstar could be casually hinting or outright demanding, but either way, he appears comfortable if the Lakers stretch payroll beyond summer to secure Wiggins’ $36.9 million. The trick lies in construction. Rui Hachimura, Dalton Knecht, and Gabe Vincent alone may not crack it. A prized future first likely seals the deal, and skepticism surrounds whether Los Angeles can dodge that toll.

Well, the Los Angeles Lakers march into 2025–26 with LeBron James locked at $52.6 million and Luka Doncic at $46 million, brushing a $207.8 million second apron limit. Doncic’s fresh three-year $165 million extension tightens spending, removing mid-level relief and squeezing free agency. Their single tradeable first in 2031 or 2032 remains untouchable, reserved for a superstar splash. Instead, Dalton Knecht’s $18.5 million deal, $7.6 million guaranteed, plus expiring salaries, becomes a tool to chase a two-way wing without burning that golden chip.

So here lies the drama, dressed in purple, gold, and a hint of Heat. The Lakers want Andrew Wiggins, and Luka is whispering. Meanwhile, Miami is waiting for the right price. Picks dangle, contracts shuffle, and patience wears thin. One bold move sets the stage, raises the stakes, and flips the season’s script.