NBA exec ‘would be stunned’ if Pat Riley traded Andrew Wiggins to Lakers

The Los Angeles Lakers are interested in trading for Miami Heat small forward Andrew Wiggins.

Wiggins, the first pick in the 2014 NBA Draft out of Kansas, will make $28.2 million in the 2025-26 season. He has a player option worth $30.2 million for the 2026-27 season.

While the Lakers and Heat have spoken about a Wiggins trade recently, one NBA executive told Lakers Daily that he “would be stunned” if Miami president Pat Riley traded Wiggins to LAL.

“I would be stunned if Pat did this trade,” the NBA executive said. “You really think Pat wants to help LeBron [James]? He’s still mad about LeBron leaving Miami. I don’t see it happening.”

James played for Riley’s Heat from 2010 to 2014. The NBA legend won two MVPs, two championships and two Finals MVPs with Miami, establishing himself as a franchise icon.

However, James left the Heat for the Cleveland Cavaliers in the offseason of 2014, and Riley wasn’t happy about it.

It’s been a decade since James left Miami for Cleveland. However, Riley is as competitive as they come. Things could certainly change, but it would shock many people around the NBA if the Hall of Famer helped James’ Lakers by giving them Wiggins.

A one-time All-Star, Wiggins put up 18.0 points, 4.5 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 1.0 steals and 0.8 blocks per game with the Golden State Warriors and Heat last season while shooting 44.8 percent from the field, 37.4 percent from beyond the arc and 76.3 percent from the free-throw line. Miami acquired the swingman from Golden State in the blockbuster Jimmy Butler trade.

Wiggins has played for the Minnesota Timberwolves, Warriors and Heat. He has career averages of 18.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1.0 steals and 0.7 blocks per game. The athletic wing won the 2022 championship with the Warriors.

The Lakers lost to the Timberwolves in the first round of the 2025 playoffs in five games despite having James and Luka Doncic. Jake LaRavia, Deandre Ayton and Marcus Smart signed with LAL this offseason in free agency after Dorian Finney-Smith left for the Houston Rockets.

Lakers head coach JJ Redick is widely expected to start Doncic, Austin Reaves, Rui Hachimura, James and Ayton in the 2025-26 season. LAL would probably have to part ways with Hachimura to acquire Wiggins, but again, many NBA insiders don’t expect Riley to trade Wiggins to the Lakers.