The Los Angeles Lakers made just one move at the NBA trade deadline in a deal that saw them move Gabe Vincent and a second-rounder to the Atlanta Hawks for Luke Kennard, and while he is a strong three-point shooter, they’ll need to make more moves to build a stronger roster around Luka Doncic and presumably Austin Reaves for the future.
LeBron James‘ next plans are very uncertain, and according to multiple sources, the Lakers are expected to shift their focus to this summer, and the projected $55 million they’ll have in available cap space to build around the duo of Doncic and Reaves.
🍿🍿🍿
With that, roster changes this offseason are likely. While they swung and missed on some of their top trade targets at this deadline, that doesn’t mean they won’t try again to add some of those players this summer.
Writing for Bleacher Report, Grant Hughes urged the Lakers to target Andrew Wiggins of the Miami Heat in free agency. They had their eyes on him at the trade deadline, and while he does have a player option in his deal for next season, that doesn’t mean he’ll opt in, or that Los Angeles can’t trade for his contract this offseason.
Lakers Urged To Target Andrew Wiggins As 3-and-D Wing This Summer
The idea of the Lakers adding a 3-and-D wing like Wiggins has been evident for the past few months. They had a major interest in Herb Jones of the New Orleans Pelicans, and even kicked the tires on Jonathan Kuminga, previously of the Golden State Warriors.
Though reports linked them to Wiggins, but as he very well could have been in a package for the Heat for either Ja Morant or Giannis Antetokounmpo, Los Angeles never made a deal for the 2022 NBA champion.
However, as Hughes mentioned, he would be a strong addition next season next to Doncic, Reaves, and whoever else the Lakers bring back, barring a deal for Antetokounmpo, which has been rumored to be in the cards this summer.
“The larger chunk of that money should go to a true three-and-D wing—ideally one with big-game experience who can impact the proceedings without dominating the ball,” he wrote. “That’s Andrew Wiggins, a stellar defender at several spots who’s been better than the league average from deep in five of the last six seasons. He’s got a ring, is beloved by teammates and might be best known for doing a bang-up job guarding hypothetical new teammate Luka Dončić in the 2022 Western Conference Finals.”
In 48 games for Miami this season, Wiggins is averaging 15.8 points, 4.9 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.2 steals, and one block on 47.2% shooting. Though potentially with the Lakers, his scoring average would drop a bit, even if Wiggins opts out of his player contract, Los Angeles has the money to reimburse him on a new deal, and likely give him a better shot at competing for another title compared to the Heat.
“If Wiggins declines his $30.2 million player option in search of a longer deal, he’ll have plenty of interested suitors. Few of them can compete with L.A.’s offer of a huge market, tons of playing time and no shortage of spoon-fed setups from Dončić,” Hughes added. “After landing Wiggins, the Lakers can use Bird rights to bring back Austin Reaves.”
Hughes also urged the Lakers to target another lob threat like Robert Williams or Mitchell Robinson. The Williams links have been there for a few months, but as Mitchell consistently has an uncertain future with the New York Knicks, the idea of him in Los Angeles is intriguing to say the least.
Regardless of who they target this summer, the Lakers not being busy in free agency remains unlikely. With James potentially out the door, they expect to enter a new era of the franchise, led by the backcourt duo of Doncic and Reaves.
Lakers Top Buyout Market Candidates
A move for Wiggins would have to happen this summer, but if the Lakers are looking to upgrade their roster now, the buyout market is a perfect place to search. Though the full list of players has yet to shake out completely, there are a few names in particular already linked to a move to Los Angeles.
According to Dan Woike of The Athletic, Los Angeles is eyeing Haywood Highsmith in the buyout market. He would likely come in on a minimum deal and be asked by head coach JJ Redick to just be a sparkplug on the second unit, yet still, adding his scoring potential could always help.
“Team and league sources say wing Haywood Highsmith is a player of interest, provided his knee issues are resolved,” Woike reported.
Other players like Cam Thomas and Lonzo Ball could also be potential targets for the Lakers in hopes of adding talent to their roster for a playoff push.
While Mike Conley was also rumored as a name that could head to Los Angeles, signs point to him returning to the Minnesota Timberwolves.
As the next few days after the trade deadline shake out, there could be a few other players on the buyout market for the Lakers to target, but for now, they’ll work with what they have, and likely make a push for Antetokounmpo and other big names this summer.
Lakers Urged To Target $109M 3-And-D Wing As Buyout Market Heats Up