August opened with a resounding vote of confidence in Luka Doncic’s Lakers future: a three-year, $165 million maximum extension that locked in the Slovenian superstar through 2028, complete with a player option to chase an even bigger payday later. The deal brought immediate stability just before Doncic jetted off for EuroBasket duties, where he dazzled with 39 points in Slovenia’s quarterfinal loss to Germany on Wednesday, ending their run in a gritty 99-91 defeat.

Now, with international play in the rearview, Doncic can refocus on Los Angeles—and he’s already flexing his influence, reportedly pushing for the additions of DeAndre Ayton at center and Marcus Smart on the wing to bolster the Purple and Gold’s title push.That same blueprint could soon apply to Andrew Wiggins. The former No. 1 overall pick, now a Heat two-way forward earning $28.2 million this season with a $30.2 million player option next year, has resurfaced as a Lakers target.

But the timing of this renewed buzz—emerging only in the past week, well after Doncic’s ink dried on August 2—feels anything but coincidental.The Athletic’s Jovan Buha, a go-to Lakers voice, called the delay a calculated front-office move to “control the narrative.” “I think there’s a controlling the narrative part of this,” Buha said on his podcast. “But I also wonder how much of the EuroBasket situation plays into it, where Luka just lost—Slovenia just lost—and maybe they didn’t want this to be a storyline or distraction because, again, the timing is interesting.”

Recall: Back in July, Miami floated an asking price headlined by Rui Hachimura, rookie sharpshooter Dalton Knecht, and a first-round pick—a package the Lakers deemed too steep for the 30-year-old Wiggins, whose playoff pedigree shines but whose regular-season output (18.0 PPG last year split between Golden State and Miami) comes with questions.

“‘And then it’s Luka wants Andrew Wiggins. Luka wants a two-way upgrade. The Lakers are now because Luka has extended because he has committed, they’re now going to do everything in their power to get him that type of upgrade.” If the Lakers had put this statement or intention out, the media narrative on the 26-year-old throughout the EuroBasket would have been on his influence or lack of in signing Wiggins. It would have clashed with Luka Doncic’s focus on winning the tournament for Slovenia.

The 5x All-Star was confident in the team’s chances of winning the medal before the EuroBasket kicked off. “We’re hoping for the medal. We think we can win a medal.” It could be because of this focus that the Lakers didn’t approach the Wiggins trade sooner. At least that’s what Buha stated. “It feels like it they maybe just wanted to avoid this being a storyline or a distraction. And maybe during the last four or five weeks, they’ve been doing their research or trying to see like what’s out there and then now they’re comfortable with it coming to light.

Unfortunately, Slovenia’s run came to an end at the Quarterfinals stage. Despite Luka’s 39 points, 10 rebounds, and 7 assists, it was Germany who crawled back into the game after trailing in the first quarter. So, it seems the team was intentionally keeping the trade talks in check. But now the franchise can be the aggressor and add Wiggins to their roster.

Luka Doncic will add pressure to pursue Wiggins

NBA insider Marc Stein mentioned in his newsletter, “sources say L.A. would indeed have interest in adding a two-way swingman who can raise their ceiling”. Andrew Wiggins, turning 31 in February. The Heat have reportedly once again asked for the future first-round pick. Plus, they are keen on adding Gabe Vincent and former first-round pick Dalton Knecht. Will the Lakers agree?

Let’s also remember that in two and a half weeks, the training camp starts. Ideally, the teams would love to lock in their roster. But this is the NBA, we saw the blockbuster trade of Luka Doncic and Anthony Davis back in February. So, the situation can change at any time. As per Buha, he expects “the most likely outcome” for the Wiggins trade to be between late December and early February. But the front office will be more aggressive as Luka Doncic is back. “But it is interesting that they are willing to potentially be more aggressive on the trade market.”

Previously, Rob Pelinka was not keen to keep the salary cap in check to trade for a superstar like Giannis Antetokounmpo or Nikola Jokic, who can opt out of their current contracts and become free agents in 2027. But it seems the time to add a vital piece is now. “And that it seems like, you know, to some extent, Luka is involved in pushing this forward. Whether it’s an ask or a demand, I can’t speak to, but it feels like Luka’s putting a little bit of pressure here.” Will the pressure pay off? Or will Pelinka stick to his original plan? Only time will tell.