The Lakers are aiming for Wiggins! The 3-for-1 trading plan is exposed, is it going to be a plan for James retirement? ‌

The Los Angeles Lakers quickly expressed their interest in the former All-Star player after the Miami Heat was rumored to have forward Andrew Wiggins and his first-round 20th pick in the trading market. Several league sources confirmed that the Lakers management has had initial contact with the Heat and asked about the feasibility of Wiggins' potential deal. Wiggins, 30, is in his year of fighting. He signed a four-year, $109 million early contract renewal with the Golden State Warriors in the summer of 2023. Currently, there are two seasons left on the contract, with a total salary of about $58 million. Specifically, next season (2025-26) he will earn $28.22 million annually, and in the 2026-27 season, he has a $30.16 million player option. While this contract provides immediate combat capability guarantee, the uncertainty of its amount and player options will also bring certain salary pressure and flexibility considerations to potential new owners.

Last season (2023-24 season), Wiggins averaged 18.0 points, 4.5 rebounds, 2.6 assists, plus 1.0 steals and 0.8 blocks per game. The shooting percentage was 44.8%, while the three-point shooting percentage reached 37.3%. Although his overall performance has not improved by leaps and bounds after being traded to the Heat in the middle of the season, his comprehensiveness on both offense and defense, outstanding physical talent (commonly considered a league-level athletic ability) and relatively stable attendance record (few major injuries suffered in his career) still make him an attractive wing candidate in the market.

For the Los Angeles Lakers, the core motivation for introducing Wiggins lies in two points: ‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌�

is the supplement of combat power: ‌ LeBron James is about to usher in his 22nd season of his career, at least 40 years old (Note: According to the article, next season will be 41 years old). The team urgently needs a high-quality front line that can share its pressure on both offense and defense. Wiggins can theoretically provide the size, athleticism, defensive diversity and certain independent offensive capabilities that the Lakers wings need, especially when James needs more load management in the regular season.

The prelude to the post-James era: ‌ The Lakers management knows that James's career is coming to an end. Wiggins' 30-year-old age means that he can not only assist James and Anthony Davis to achieve better results, but also partner with Davis, who is in his prime after James retires, becoming one of the team's core frameworks for the next few years. A contract that has only been executed until the age of 32 is in line with the Lakers' strategy of maintaining long-term competitiveness.

In response to the possible salary pressure from Wiggins' contract, the US media simulated a potential trading plan:

The Lakers gave out: Rui Hachimura, Gabe Vincent, and the 2029 Lakers second-round draft pick.

Lakers get: Andrew Wiggins.

Plan Analysis: ‌

Salary Matching: ‌ Hachimura Ai (about 17 million next season) and Vincent (about 11 million next season) will basically match Wiggins' $28.22 million next season. This reduces the risk of the Lakers taking big contracts directly.

The cost is controllable: ‌ Hachimura is an important rotation forward for the Lakers, with good scoring ability and body shape, but defense is its weakness. Vincent was almost ineffective in the Lakers last season due to injury and his condition was doubtful. A future second round pick is a reasonable increase. Giving them out for Wiggins, who was in his first year of playing, theoretically increasing the team's overall talent limit.

Heat considerations: ‌ For the Heat, Hachimura can provide frontcourt depth and scoring ability. If Vincent recovers health, he is a defender who is familiar with and in line with the Heat culture (who once played for the Heat). At the same time, disposing of Wiggins' contract can also free them up with more salary space for flexibility or use for other operations. The second round of picks is a future asset supplement.

Lakers' subsequent trends: ‌

If you can successfully trade Wiggins, the next focus of the Lakers' management will clearly turn to strengthening the No. 5 position. Anthony Davis made it clear that he was more inclined to return to the fourth position (power forward), which meant that the Lakers needed to find a strong starting center. According to recent rumors, the Utah Jazz young center Walker Kessler is still the number one target of the Purple and Gold Army. Kessler is regarded as the perfect interior partner for Davis for his excellent basket protection ability, rebounds and blocks (exhibition of top potential in the rookie season). Kristaps Porzingis, who had previously inquired about the Lakers, has been traded to the Atlanta Hawks.

Challenges and risks: ‌

Of course, pursuing Wiggins is not without hidden worries:

Contract value: ‌ Wiggins has had a lot of ups and downs in the past two seasons. Whether he can play steadily in line with his contract value (especially in the Lakers' spotlight) is doubtful. The 30.16 million player option makes the investment in the next two years quite considerable.

Fusion Problem: ‌ Wiggins needs to adapt to the new roles playing around James and Davis, and his off-ball efficiency and defensive focus will be tested.

Lineup Depth Loss: ‌ The sending out Hachimura (main rotation) and Vincent (still have the potential to recover), means the team's bench needs to be re-explored or replenished.

Conclusion: ‌

The Lakers inquired about Andrew Wiggins, clearly conveying the management's determination to strive for the championship in the window period of James' "last dance", and also revealing a long-term vision to prepare for the post-James era. The 3-for-1 plan proposed by the US media has a certain operability basis in salary balance and player value. If Wiggins can regain his All-Star skills, his physical talent and age will greatly enhance the Lakers' competitiveness limit. This potential deal, together with subsequent strengthening of the center position (such as Kessler), will profoundly affect the Lakers' direction next season and even in the future, and also marks that the Purple and Gold Legion is actively paving the way for the new era after the end of the legend. The ultimate success or failure of the deal will depend on the management's negotiation skills, Wiggins' actual status and whether the team's subsequent operations can form a joint force.

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