While there was reported conversation on the trade front, specifically with the Los Angeles Lakers, regarding Miami Heat forward Andrew Wiggins, the team plans to keep him heading into the 2025-26 NBA Season, Anthony Chiang and Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald both reported Saturday.
The situation remains fluid.
Wiggins, 30, has been subject to plenty of trade rumors this offseason since he owns a $30 million player option next season, where they’re prioritizing cap space.
Acquired as the headliner of the Jimmy Butler blockbuster in February, Wiggins also had a down stint with Miami. It was one of the least healthy stretches of his career, dealing with multiple lower-body injuries, including a nagging hamstring injury that forced him to miss a half-dozen contests.
In 17 games, he averaged 19.0 points, 4.2 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 1.2 steals per game on 45.8 percent shooting and 73.1 percent from the free-throw line. He had a brief two-game stint against Houston and Charlotte where he scored 72 combined points on 87.7 percent true shooting, but never really found a consistent rhythm otherwise.
Miami reportedly asked the Lakers for Rui Hachimura, Dalton Knecht and one first-round pick in exchange for Wiggins. It would behoove the Heat to acquire at least one young player or another first-round pick since they are out of their 2027 first (Hornets; lottery-protected). And the 30-year-old is still in the middle of his prime as a two-way wing, which is very valuable.
Should he remain with the Heat, we’ll see whether or not he can not only stay healthy, but build some of his on-court value back up — just in case the Heat opt to trade him at next February’s deadline or next summer. One team may be overly desperate, whether it’s due to injury or striking while the iron’s hot.
Nevertheless, I have a difficult time faulting the Heat here, given their current situation.
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Heat should absolutely hold on to Wiggins, at least until the trade deadline, until/unless a better option comes along.
If Golden Warriors, Lakers or any other team is interested in Wiggins, they should be required to pay a premium. Two-way small forwards on reasonable contracts who can score 17-20 points per game don’t grow on trees.
Exactly, as far as trading Wiggins for a premium.
And, we are pretty thin at his position ourselves. I know this guy is perceived as not giving his fullest effort, and that may be true (I haven’t seen enough to be sure of that but others seem to see it clearly), but we should give him another try anyway as we have no one better to replace him with. There are excuses that could be made for him upon coming here from what was probably a better situation at that time.
He is at least a high B+ player, was once a low A player. He isn’t old. He is good both ways. And used correctly and with adequate support around him, we could win with him as a starter.
Actually, Rozier, Jaquez and Jovic should be given every opportunity to succeed. Otherwise, they could be candidates for trades by February.
I agree with both of you. He is a solid player, best we got at SF position. Obviously we cannot expect him to carry the team as Butler did until 2023. But I am ok with that, I never expected it from him. But since we have Ty, Bam and now Powell, he should be ok as a 4th option offensively and defensively he will be one of our best defenders. Just don”t expect him to be a leader of the team, he is not that kind of player and never was.
Sure, let’s hold on to him until a good offer comes. Until then he can build up his value with solid performances, and when a perimeter D needy team is desperate enough… we will swoop in and make a deal.