If someone tells you that the LA Lakers are slowly moving on from LeBron James, believe it. Because the way the front office is moving, with the future in sight, it’s evident. That Luka Doncic is the new and only face of the franchise. The math is pretty simple here: adding centers on the team, expanding the roster with better rotation choices, and looking for extended wings. If this isn’t rebuilding, then Rob Pelinka should just put out his definition of the same.

The ex-Golden State Warriors star Andrew Wiggins has reportedly drawn interest from the Lakers. The NBA insider, Marc Stein, recently told in his newsletter that Pelinka is looking for tradeable wings. Well, Wiggs has a $28.2 million salary for 2025-26 and a $30.1 million player option for 2026-27. However, despite Miami’s steep demands and LA’s early hesitation, Wiggins could still emerge as a target if the timing works out.

Now, according to Lakers insider Jovan Buha, the front office’s pursuit of Wiggins seems like a push from the 26-year-old Slovenian star. In his latest livestream, Buha said, “One is Luka applying some pressure or at least making it known that he wants an upgrade on the wings. If that’s the case, then you would think the Lakers are going to do their best to honor that and to give him that. Whether it’s Wiggins or someone else, try to upgrade the roster and find that type of player.”

And second, “This is the Lakers trying to publicly negotiate a little bit and see if Miami has changed its asking price for Wiggins. See if that demand has gone down. With the season on the horizon, maybe they can find some sort of middle ground. Or three, it could be both. It could be Luka pushing for this or wanting this, asking for this.” Ultimately, Luka’s stance is clear but flexible. He might casually suggest playing with Andrew Wiggins, or he could push hard and demand it. The intensity is uncertain, yet one thing stands out. Luka seems fine with the Lakers stretching their payroll beyond this summer to make the move happen.

Well, there are a few curious points to note here. We could spend time arguing whether Wiggins is truly better than Rui and what the cost would need to be. “I am currently skeptical that they could pull off a Wiggins trade without including a first. I don’t know if Rui and Dalton are enough, or Rui, Dalton, and Gabe, something like that; I don’t think that’s enough,” Buha shared.

The Lakers remain cautious about giving up a first-round pick for Andrew Wiggins. Moreover, he carries a $36.9 million cap hit this season. They see him as a talent, but not a long-term piece worthy of pairing with Luka Doncic for years to come. Miami’s steep asking price forces LA to weigh true value against immediate roster needs and cap flexibility.

Still, options exist. Buha suggests a trade using Rui Hachimura, perhaps a protected first, or a combination including Dalton Knecht. With the Lakers hovering near $150 million in committed salaries and the Heat needing to clear space to match, a deal requires creativity. If structured carefully, Wiggins could become the upgrade Luka seeks without mortgaging the team’s future.

Meanwhile, a bigger challenge is surfacing for Rob Pelinka. The real worry lies in Miami’s insistence on a first-round pick, a price the Lakers have so far refused to pay. Navigating this standoff will test LA’s negotiating savvy. They must balance Luka’s desire for an upgrade with preserving future flexibility, cap space, and roster control.

Luka Doncic’s demands could take a risky turn for the Los Angeles Lakers

The LA Lakers hold a powerful slate of future first-round picks from 2026 through 2032, giving them flexibility to maneuver in trades and upgrades. They also have second-round picks in 2032. However, several outgoing picks complicate the picture, including first-rounders in 2027, 2029, and 2030 and multiple second-rounders. Protections and swap rights further shape their options.

Meanwhile, Miami commands its own robust draft assets, with first-rounders from 2026 through 2032 and second-rounders peppered in for depth. Yet, several of these are entangled in protections and swap rights with teams like Atlanta, Charlotte, Oklahoma City, and Washington. The complexity ensures that while both franchises can target upgrades like Wiggins, every move must respect cap space, timing, and strategic leverage.

The Miami Heat could leverage their cap flexibility to demand first-round picks from the Lakers, but it is tricky. The Lakers are projected at $200 million, $19-20 million below the second apron, limiting room for major salary moves. Miami sits $23 million under the second apron, allowing maneuvering and exceptions. Any Lakers trade adding Wiggins’ $36.9 million would strain their space, making draft picks a necessary bargaining chip.

Meanwhile, Luka Doncic is quietly shaking up the Lakers’ universe. The franchise is clearly pivoting toward the future, with wings, rotation upgrades, and flexibility taking center stage. Yet Miami’s first-round pick demands add a high-stakes twist. Every move now is a chess match of cap space, trades, and draft leverage. Timing, creativity, and boldness will decide if Wiggins lands in LA or slips through their fingers.