"One of the Top 10 apex defenders" - NBA analyst says getting Andrew Wiggins would help the Lakers vastly
The Los Angeles Lakers have added Deandre Ayton and Marcus Smart in free agency, which gives them an upgrade from last season's roster. Ayton addressed their need for an athletic big man who is also a lob threat, while Smart gives the Purple & Gold the defensive presence they haven't had in a long time.
However, if the Lakers really want to get to the next level and become instant championship contenders, NBA analyst Jason Timpf believes they need to trade for Miami Heat forward Andrew Wiggins.
"I do think that an Andrew Wiggins trade would immediately make the Lakers a top-tier contender. He would immediately address their athleticism and defense needs. He, specifically in my opinion, is one of the Top 10 apex defenders that you could put on an opposing star in the playoff series, and he can do it against multiple different types of stars. I also think he makes a substantial upgrade in athleticism, which is what they would need. I also think that he would really play well offensively off of Luka," explained Timpf.
Wiggins was key for the Warriors in the 2022 NBA Finals
Wiggs wasn't just the unsung hero of the Warriors' 2022 championship run; some thought he deserved to win Finals MVP for his impressive two-way effort in the series. In Game 4, Andrew put up a 17-points-and-16-rebounds double-double and then had 26 points and 13 boards in Game 5, when Stephen Curry went 0-9 from 3-point range.
However, aside from adding scoring and valuable championship experience, Wiggins is also an athletic player who plays equally well on both sides of the ball. Andrew's size, length, and ability to switch to multiple positions make him a valuable addition for the Lakers.
"I think the Lakers could pull off that trade, including Dalton and maybe some second-round compensation, and not having to include their first-round pick. But the Lakers seem uninterested in making that type of deal because of Andrew's age and because of their timeline," he added.Pelinka is looking to make a splash in the 2026 free agency
However, it can be recalled that when the Houston Rockets stole Dorian Finney-Smith from the Lakers, general manager Rob Pelinka said that they did not make the counteroffer because they wanted to keep their books clean for the summer of 2026. That appears to be where the problem is because Wiggins still has two years left in his deal and is set to make $30.1 million in 2026-27.
"Without Wiggins, if we take him out of the equation, I don't see a move this summer, like that's readily available right now that the Lakers could make, that would immediately vault them up in terms of their athleticism and their ability to contend for a title this season. I don't see it right now," added Timpf.
The 30-year-old Wiggins was traded to the Heat last season for Jimmy Butler. In 60 games played during the 2024-25 campaign, he averaged 18.0 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 2.6 assists per game while shooting 37.4 percent from 3-point distance. Having those numbers and Andrew's defensive presence would be significant for the Lakers, but as Timpf said, that doesn't seem to be their priority.This story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Aug 11, 2025, where it first appeared.
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