There have been a slew of injuries to star players throughout the NBA, including those on the Miami Heat. Tyler Herro is set to miss his 26th game of the season on Saturday, while Bam Adebayo is expected to miss his 8th.
The list doesn’t end there: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Victor Wembanyama, Franz Wagner, Paolo Banchero, Anthony Davis, Ja Morant and Anthony Edwards, among several others, have all had prolonged absences due to injury.
The Los Angeles Lakers suffered a big blow Friday. Austin Reaves will miss at least the next month with a groin strain, according to ESPN NBA insider Shams Charania.
While this doesn’t directly affect the Heat, let’s not forget they were rumored to have interest in this veteran wing who can help solve some of their existing problems, especially in Reaves’ absence.
Could Lakers’ past interest in Andrew Wiggins reappear?!
Earlier this summer, the Lakers reportedly showed interest in the 30-year-old wing, where trade talks surfaced. None came to fruition, with Miami entering the season with Wiggins after acquiring him in February.
Make no mistake, Reaves and Wiggins are completely different players. Reaves is one of the league’s top young shot creators. Wiggins, on the other hand, is an ancillary two-way wing who can defend multiple positions, crash the glass and knock down 3s.
While Reaves is a below-average defender, at best, JJ Redick’s recent tirades suggests the Lakers need new juice in the building. However, not only do they need multi-positional defenders — they need shotmakers. The Lakers are currently the seventh-worst 3-point shooting team in the NBA.
Wiggins, 30, is averaging 15.9 points, 4.8 rebounds and 2.9 assists on 47.1 percent shooting, 37.9 percent from 3-point range and 71.4 percent from the free-throw line. At times, he’s fairly streaky with his shot-making and decision-making. But he doesn’t mind playing a role — one that the Lakers should be seeking regardless of Reaves’ status.
There’s no guarantee that negotiations materialize between now and the Feb. 5 trade deadline. But it would behoove the Lakers to target a two-way wing after letting Dorian Finney-Smith walk this offseason.
Both the Heat and Lakers are hard-capped at the first apron. Los Angeles is $1.1 million below that threshold, while Miami is $7.1 million below. Thus, it may be difficult for either side to execute a two-team swap. It doesn’t help that any realistic Lakers package, minus the lone first-round pick they can trade (2031), is pretty undesirable.
This is purely speculative: But I would not be surprised if the two sides explore a potential deal over the next few weeks. Desperate organizations commit desperate actions. And I could see the Lakers, currently 19-10, being extra desperate amid Reaves’ injury and their recent struggles.
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It would be a mistake. Wiggins showed why he is needed last night. It could be said he won that game with his clutch fourth quarter. Before the season, the Lajers offered Rui, Vincent and Knecht, which is larceny. Let’s hope we aren’t that stupid. This is only happening because the real players we need to trade are untradeable. But, no one likes to talk about that.
Well, if no one likes to talk about it, why has that topic and white players been so pervasive? It has been discussed extensively. We know Herro’s value is at an all time low missing 3/4 of the season. Simone is in a slump. Jovic has issues plus a poison pill contract. I’ve said since the beginning of the season that I like Wiggins and believe he is the most likely candidate to be traded. I am only saying this because some don’t want to face the truth and it takes great courage to do so (now, doesn’t that last part seem silly and arrogant? It is. My opinion is no more or less valid than anybody else’s.)
I never said it wasn’t. It’s totally valid. I respect your opinions. Always have.
But, diving deeper, why do they never discuss trading Ty when the details surrounding him have only become more concerning with his injuries and his salary issue isn’t going away. I also know Niko and Simone have no market. It’s Ty I was mostly discussing. Why talk about trading Wiggins when he does so much more for the team than Ty does? I believe their salaries are the same or very close. The reason that Wiggins has become our default trade option is because not much would come back for Ty, while at least one team, and probably more, covet Andrew. That alone tells you the value comparison of the two players. So, why do we only talk about trading Andrew? Is that any way to run a team?.
You hit the nail on the head. Wiggins is a solid, savvy veteran and champion. He has mostly been available. He has size, plays defense, and scores in many ways. His value is such that the media says the Heat would want players plus a first round pick.
Herro has been called fragile and has missed many games with injuries. He is a gifted offensive player, a willing passer, and decent rebounder for his size. He is a net negative on defense. He didn’t have great trade value before and it is probably at an all time low now. I don’t want the team to offer him any extension unless it is a bargain. I also hope the Heat do not mess with the starting lineup with Ware and Pelle when he returns. They may need to wait until he is on the final year of his contract when another team might take a chance on a one season rental if they are in need of offense.