When Andrew Wiggins first arrived from the Jimmy Butler trade for the Miami Heat, the organization knew they were getting an established 3 & D wing with championship experience. And that’s exactly what he has been throughout his one-and-a-half seasons in Miami.
As the 2014 draft number one overall pick over a decade ago, Wiggins has never quite lived up to that hype throughout his 12 years in the league. However, he has still made a rock solid NBA career for himself as a former NBA champion and All-Star back in the 2021-22 season for the Golden State Warriors. At 6-foot-7 and a 7-foot wingspan, Wiggins has remained a versatile rotation piece on both ends of the floor for the Heat this season.
And he evidently has enjoyed his time playing for Miami, too.
The veteran forward recently voiced his desire to remain in South Beach, as he has a $30 million player option on the table this upcoming offseason.
“Me and my agent will get together whenever the season is done and figure it out. But I love Miami. I love being here… Everyone has been great to me. From the organization, the fans, to the city. Just playing winning style of basketball. Being on a team and organization that cares for the players, always wants the best for them. They’re very straight forward and all about winning. It’s kind of an old school vibe here that I like.”
— Andrew Wiggins (via Anthony Chiang/Miami Herald
Wiggins averaged 15.4 points, 4.8 rebounds, 1.1 steals and 1.0 block per game on 48% shooting and 41.4% from 3-point range across 68 games played this past season.
With his player option in the coming months, Wiggins will have the choice to either opt-in to a $30 million salary for the 2026-27 season to stay in Miami. Doing so would keep him on the Heat’s books for at least one more year.
If not, he could opt out and seek a bigger payday or change of scenery elsewhere and become an unrestricted free agent.
Even if Wiggins does opt-in, the Heat could use him as a trade asset this summer. But depending on the moves Miami pulls off, he is still a reliable wing to have on this roster even going into his age-32 campaign. A contract extension for a player of his caliber— who is more considered a valuable role player than a real All-Star— is likely not an option. The $30 million that he may be owed next season should be the ceiling of his value, especially as he enters his mid 30s.
Pat Riley had mentioned at his end of season presser that he has great respect for Wiggins, and that he indeed expressed interest in remaining on the Heat roster for next season. The opt-out decision will be crucial for Wiggins’ fate as a member of the Heat, but he has assuredly been impactful enough to warrant a return— for next season at the very least.
Do you think that Wiggs should be a long term piece for Miami? Let us know in the comments below!
***
To check out our other content, click here.
Follow Hot Hot Hoops on Twitter/X here!
Follow Hot Hot Hoops on Instagram here!
Check out Hot Hot Hoops on Facebook here!
Subscribe to our YouTube channel here!
- If Giannis Antetokounmpo gets traded, NBA players predict it will be to Heat
- Has NIL affected … the Miami Heat? Here’s how it has.
- Report: Growing belief around NBA is that an overdue Giannis trade will ‘actually happen’ this offseason
- 2026 NBA Draft: 3 potential Heat prospects who improved their stock at combine, and 2 who didn’t
- 5 free agents Heat should target with their full mid-level exception this summer
2017 last time spurs won playoff series.thats 10 years of sht bball.wemby was gifted them by adam.f them
Mr Conspiracy Theory strikes again. If the Heat ended up with Wemby, you wouldn’t say anything. Let’s go Spurs.
I predicted Spurs OKC WCF. Someone thought Spurs still a year or 2 away. Spurs may not win this season, but they are certainly capable. They are legit contenders.
Orlando is the only eastern playoff team which has lost less than 2 games. The Magic got its mojo back at the perfect time. They have a serious shot at winning the east and reaching the finals.
jb kat thats quite a duo bam tyler lol both players not drafted by nyk.gms matter ours suks.
embid wow thought he was done guess not
He was dominant. There was nothing the C’s could do.
if embid was healthy and he usually never is phily would come out of the east
The fact this organization screwed Wade, Zo, & Jimmy but will bend over for Bam is disgusting. I hope they enjoy Bam sinking this organization into oblivion while telling us how good his on/off #s are and how hard he tries
Bam is not the problem. It’s not his fault Miami has failed to build a competitive team around him. Other than the quitter, the best they’ve done is Herro.
norm wiggy better all round players than mr no d.but bam cant be the best player on a champ contender not the second best either.when jimmy was balling he was getting everybody involved making the mediocre players around him better.just had that will that the great players have bam kinda hides in the biggest moments.always passing down the stretch.oh well pat loves him hes our playin leader
I agree, but they are short timers. Up until now, Herro has been their “boy wonder.”
jalen brown prob top 5 player but dirty
Wiggins: 15.4PPG, 4.8 PPG, 2.7APG has an option year in 2026-2027 worth $30.17M+. Is he worth $30.17M?
Jaquez: 15.4PPG, 5.0 RPG, 4.7APG also plays SF and has one year remaining on his rookie contract for $5.94M. He is eligible for an extension this summer. Is he worth $30.17M a year beginning in 2027-2028?
If Wiggins opts in this summer, which one do you keep and which one do you trade? Do you keep both or trade both?
both ok players not diff makers ill take cats like asonyou that can go off for a 40 spot.just on athleticism and skill or dawgs like hart.both not top,athletes.need more athletic wings for the sgas antmans browns tatums of the world.on a champ contender both bench players
Except one is years older and six times more expensive.
just on ability gimme wiggy.i want him back next 3 years for 65mil.u just cant let go 2 way players that are still good .
You think Wiggins will take $21.7M a year when he is scheduled to make $30.2M if he opts in this summer?
id take josh hart over any player not named bam ware
us attorney rozier accepted a bribe jeesh why terry had so much $$ makes no sense
Low IQ. Athleticism isn’t everything. Need a brain too.
Wiggins has an 8’11” standing reach (PF length), moving Wiggins to the 3 position, Larsson to 2 (8’6″ standing reach, same as Jimmy Butler) would give the Heat more positional size. Guessing they may try to do that with a trade for a 4 – most obvious would be Giannis.
Everyone knows I took to Andrew as my favorite player for exactly the reasons RC refers to. But, Zach makes a compelling argument as his timeline is off.
But, make no mistake, players like him are essential parts of winning teams, and every really good team has at least two players like Wiggins. He may not be a superstar, but he is a solid A- type talent. What we should do with him and Powell is predicated on our efforts to acquire a whale, unlikely as that scenario is. If we got a whale by some stroke of luck, you need Bam, Powell and Wiggins as his supporting cast or don’t do it at all.
And if you’re not getting a whale, then guys like Wiggins should be traded or let go as we acquire younger players. There is a problem there as our younger players aren’t as good as our three oldest players, so the path to relevancy will take longer if we concentrate on getting younger. But, seems to me we have no choice, our roster requires it, despite all of Riley’s whoofing about trying to win now. So, try to get a whale, and if unsuccessful, go young, and commit to that direction.
Nice to know Andrew likes playing here. But, every good player will eventually sour on a team when they miss the playoffs repeatedly.
Making sense here. You are right about this – if Giannis actually did come to Miami, it instantly changes the team from youth oriented to veteran team. And in that case, keeping Wiggins and/or Powell makes sense because you’re dealing with a shorter window.
u get greek no ? asked cant give up bam and ware take 1 and any other two u want.bam jjj pelle its ok.u watch the teams alive now jjj pelle wouldnt be able to hang with these athletes
Jaquez and Pelle are both solid athletes, Pelle more so. As much as other athletes, some more, some less. Again, Bam isn’t being traded, so get over it.
pat loves bam im gonna get bam some help really with what players
I don’t know and neither do you. I’ll know more after the offseason to see who stays, who goes, who is drafted, who is acquired.
Warrior’s would’ve taken him back if Heat wanted Kuminga. Worth the risk? Heat had nothing to lose.
Yup. A few of us supported that idea, plus picking up a rotation caliber PF/C. Obviously, management had other plans…which sucked.
It is impossible to not like Wiggins. He is one of the most congenial, mellow players I’ve ever seen. If he stays, at the very least, he can be part of a trade.
Exactly. Too old to meet the Heat’s re-tooling timeline. Bam should be the oldest player on the team when all is said and done in 2026-2027.
Nothing against Wiggs, but he should go. Not gonna be here when this is a winning organization again. Doesn’t impact the game enough to matter.
Miami needs to find a super star and get younger. And while Riley is too blind to see that, the fans aren’t. Resigning wiggs will just be another nail in the coffin of what is quickly becoming a non serious nba franchise.
Exactly my thoughts.
whos better and avail short list
No one but Pat seems to think so. Team is being ran like it’s the early 00s/10s a team stuck in the past and we as fans suffer for it
I would prefer an expiring contract and a pick. But that’s just me.
Exactly! Want more mediocrity, keep signing older players with declining health and declining skills.