The Los Angeles Lakers addressed one of their primary needs on Wednesday by agreeing on a two-year deal with former No. 1 overall pick Deandre Ayton after the center finalized a buyout with the Portland Trail Blazers.
With Ayton now on the roster, Rob Pelinka can turn his attention to the next line of business on the Lakers' offseason agenda, and that should be upgrading the talent on the wing alongside Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves, and LeBron James.
That places one veteran in particular on thin ice as we move deeper into the offseason and closer to the start of the 2025-26 campaign.
Deandre Ayton Signing Immediately Puts Lakers' Hachimura on Thin Ice
Los Angeles has been linked to several wings this offseason, with Miami Heat veteran Andrew Wiggins being one of the most notable of the bunch. The pathway to adding a player in the mold of Wiggins is there for Pelinka and company as the Lakers have plenty of expiring contracts to dangle in trade negotiations. Whether it is a deal for Wiggins or another established veteran wing, Hachimura could be the odd man out when things are said and done.
According to Lakers beat reporter Jovan Buha, the Purple and Gold know exactly what it would take to swing a deal for Wiggins. Per Buha, Miami would want Hachimura, Dalton Knecht, and the team's 2031 first-round pick in exchange for the former Kansas Jayhawks standout. Including that future draft pick could make this proposal too risky for Los Angeles to jump at, but it more than suggests that Hachimura is available.
The Heat are asking for Rui Hachimura, Dalton Knecht, and a first-round pick from Lakers in a potential trade for Andrew Wiggins, per @jovanbuha. pic.twitter.com/kUHnV5rSBX
— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) July 3, 2025
Hachimura is currently penciled in as the starting small forward for the Lakers. These rumors only add to the speculation that time could be running thin for the former Gonzaga star in Southern California, whether Miami and Los Angeles can agree on a deal or not.
Personally, this feels like a lot to give up in exchange for Wiggins when he owns a player option following the 2025-26 season, regardless of his averages this past season for the Heat being greater than anything Hachimura has accomplished during his career. To lose that future first-round pick in what could ultimately be a one-year rental of Wiggins would be far too much for Pelinka to trade away.
Lakers fans will find out soon whether the front office shares that opinion. One way or another, whenever a deal to address the talent on the wing, Hachimura can expect to be part of those conversations.