Free agency has apparently been optional for the Miami Heat this offseason, as the front office seems hellbent on keeping the status quo heading into 2025-26. After (seemingly) passing on Jonathan Kuminga following missing out on Kevin Durant, there aren't a lot of great options out there that are going to make Miami leapfrog to the top of the Eastern Conference.
But a new proposed trade would at least give Miami some much-needed flexibility for the 2026 offseason while still keeping the ship afloat for 2025.
Miami Heat might try to deal Andrew Wiggins to the Lakers
In this deal, Miami would send Andrew Wiggins to the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for Rui Hachimura, Dalton Knecht, and a first-round pick.
If you are of the mindset that the ceiling for Miami in 2026 is not getting swept in the first round of the playoffs, this move makes perfect sense for both teams.
Hachimura has just one year left on his contract compared to the two years left on Wiggins' deal. As it stands, Miami would still save $6 million for 2025-26 with this deal AND pick up a 1st round pick.
Wiggins is obviously the higher-profile player than Hachimura, but the latter still managed 13.1 points per game while shooting 41% from three this past season.
For Los Angeles, they are in a win-at-all-costs mode heading into the 2025-26 season. With LeBron James near the end of the road and Luka Dončić set to be a free agent after next year, the Lakers have no choice but to try to make whatever upgrades they can right now.
This deal is perfect for Miami
There are several reasons why this deal makes perfect sense for the Heat. If Hachimura comes in and does well, he will continue the youth movement that Miami is building.
We haven't even mentioned Dalton Knecht yet, who still has three years left on his rookie deal and averaged 9.1 points per game this year.
If you accept that Miami won't be a contender in 2025-26, a deal like this allows them to at least remain relevant this year while having assets and capital to make a big push for 2026-27 as their young core continues to grow.