The Los Angeles Lakers are in a tricky spot right now. Every decision the front office makes must not only put the team in the best position possible to compete for a championship this season but also align closely with the way the roster will be constructed once the LeBron James era comes to a close.
That is likely the biggest factor keeping general manager Rob Pelinka and the front office from pulling the trigger on a deal that would bring another former No. 1 overall pick to the Purple and Gold to join forces with LeBron and Luka Doncic ahead of the 2025-26 campaign.
Now, Lakers fans are gaining more clarity as to where things stand with this potential deal and what those close to the organization are hearing.
Rob Pelinka Reportedly Refuses to Pay Top Dollar for Andrew Wiggins
The Lakers are interested in adding Andrew Wiggins to the fold in Los Angeles, but the asking price from the Miami Heat is far too steep for Pelinka's liking, according to Anthony Irwin of Clutch Points, and rightfully so. Giving up Rui Hachimura, Dalton Knecht, and a future first-round pick is too rich an ask for Pelinka and the front office.
“The Lakers are going to re-open Andrew Wiggins conversations & hope Miami will be a little less ridiculous about demanding they get Rui, Knecht, a first & expiring money. LA was never going to match that price. Lakers are hoping that price would come down a bit.” @AnthonyIrwinLA https://t.co/FTaKSJlFMn pic.twitter.com/mXQ2aPSsNv
— Dru (@dru_star) July 8, 2025
“The Lakers are going to re-open Andrew Wiggins conversations and hope Miami will be a little less ridiculous about demanding they get Rui, Knecht, a first, and expiring money. LA was never going to match that price. Lakers are hoping that price would come down a bit,” Irwin said.
This is where the balancing act between winning now at all costs and not leaving the cupboard bare for Doncic once James walks away from the game for good, whenever that is. Sacrificing future first-round picks should be a non-starter unless the player the Lakers would be receiving is a level up from Wiggins.
This isn't to say that Wiggins is a bad player and wouldn't impact winning in Los Angeles. He absolutely would. At a different stage of LeBron's career, this deal would have likely already been completed, and Wiggins would be prepping for the start of his tenure with the Purple and Gold.
If Pelinka wants Wiggins bad enough, he is going to have to convince the Heat's front office to accept an offer that doesn't include that type of draft capital. Knowing how ruthless a businessman Miami president Pat Riley can be, that stance from Pelinka could ultimately be what keeps a deal from coming to fruition.