Andrew Wiggins’ name hovered around the Los Angeles Lakers’ rumor mill all summer, but the likelihood of landing the Miami Heat forward has faded. With the Heat reportedly setting a steep price and the Lakers reluctant to part with their scarce assets, the franchise could shift its focus elsewhere before the February trade deadline.
Jovan Buha of the Buha’s Block podcast suggested that the Lakers may turn to the New Orleans Pelicans for wing help if the right circumstances unfold.
Buha: Lakers Waiting for Market to Shake Free
“I think they tend to be more reactive than proactive with trades,” Buha said. “One of the benefits could be looking at different situations across the league. Like, does New Orleans get off to a slow start and now all of a sudden, maybe, a Herb Jones or Trey Murphy III is potentially available?”
The Lakers’ cautious approach reflects their limited trade resources. After a busy few years of roster reshaping, they have just one tradable first-round pick (2031 or 2032) and a 2032 second-rounder. With LeBron James entering his 23rd season and Luka Dončić now the centerpiece of the franchise’s long-term plans, Los Angeles faces pressure to find another two-way wing who can elevate them into the top tier of Western Conference contenders.
Murphy’s Price Tag and Long-Term Commitment
Murphy, 25, is widely considered one of the league’s most promising 3-and-D forwards. But prying him from New Orleans may be unrealistic.
“The Pelicans have maintained an exceptionally high asking price for Trey Murphy: multiple firsts and proven, young talent,” Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints reported in August.
Murphy signed a four-year, $113 million contract extension in 2024, a deal that locks him in as a long-term piece in New Orleans. He is coming off a breakout season in which he averaged 21.2 points, 5.1 rebounds and 3.5 assists, with 1.1 steals per game. A career 38.3% shooter from beyond the arc, his combination of length, athleticism and defensive instincts has made him one of the most coveted young wings in the NBA.
Jake Fischer of The Stein Line noted that New Orleans has “batted away calls” for Murphy, underscoring how highly the Pelicans value him.
Jones’ Contract Adds to His Appeal
Jones, meanwhile, has also been linked to trade chatter, but Fischer reported in July that the Pelicans view him as nearly untouchable.
“I am not expecting a Herb Jones trade. One of the best contracts in the league, New Orleans knows that,” Fischer said on his NBA Insider Notebook livestream on Bleacher Report.
Jones, 26, signed a three-year, $67.6 million extension last summer, further cementing his value as a cost-efficient defensive stopper. He missed much of last season after undergoing shoulder surgery in February. Before the injury, he had been among the league’s best perimeter defenders, averaging 11.0 points, 3.6 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 1.4 steals and nearly a block per game while shooting a career-best 41.8% from deep in the 2023-24 season as a top-5 Defensive Player of the Year candidate.
If Jones were to become available, his price would likely be lower than Murphy’s but still significant given his defensive value and team-friendly deal.
Lakers’ Path Back to Contention
With Dončić leading the offense and James still productive in Year 23, the Lakers remain a dangerous playoff team. However, Buha projects them no higher than the fourth seed in the Western Conference as currently constructed, meaning a second-round matchup with defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder could be looming.
“I think they do have a real shot to beat OKC with the right move,” Buha said. “So if they can — I think there’s a sliding scale here. If it’s a Herb Jones, all right, I think they have a real shot and maybe I’d pick them to beat OKC. If it’s a Wiggins, I think they have a better shot, but maybe they’re not quite there. So I think it really depends on who they get.”
For the Lakers, the question is not whether to chase another high-level wing — but when, and at what cost, as the Dončić era takes shape alongside the final chapters of LeBron’s career.
Lakers Linked to Young 3-and-D Duo as Wiggins Trade Alternative