"Save The Assets For Giannis": Lakers Fans Change Tune on Andrew Wiggins Trade Idea After He Struggles in Heat's Loss

Lakers fans have pushed the franchise to trade for Heat forward Andrew Wiggins throughout the offseason. That demand carried into the season after a sluggish start, paired with an injury bug. However, the Lakers have bounced back and are 5-2 after splitting the results in the first four games.

On Sunday, they beat the unpredictable Heat 130-120 with a gritty effort. Apart from Jaime Jaquez Jr., no one on Miami could get going. The former first-round pick was the only player to score more than 20 points, tallying 31 off the bench.

Meanwhile, Andrew Wiggins had a decent outing at best with 15 points, nine rebounds and four turnovers. He shot 37.5% and was 16.7% from 3.

According to reports, the Heat and Lakers failed to negotiate a trade after Miami demanded a first-round pick, along with a package centered around Rui Hachimura.

The Lakers forward had the same scoring output as his once possible trade counterpart on Sunday, but on efficient splits as he shot 6 of 12, including 3 of 5, while recording six rebounds, two assists and one turnover.

LA fans put the lid on a potential Wiggins trade with the following reactions on X:

JohnnyBsaysGiannis2027

@JohnnyBravo6424

Save the assets for Giannis

BX Boogie

@GCSNYC1

Yeah Miami can throw those “give us a 1st” requests in the trash

Jared

@goatedjrd

I tried to tell ppl to stop being fooled by the 2022 version of him and look at the 2025 version. Would’ve been a bad decision to trade for a declining vet

Woflax⁷⁷

@Woflax1

he's not, but his contract is too expensive to trade for. better to get someone or two that are younger and cheaper.

Leo

@BigTig_

We good. We got Theiro, we don’t need Wiggins. And with how Jaxson looking as a backup center, we really contenders when Bron get back

I hate Micky Arison.

@Blueflick_

Mind you y’all wanted to trade rui for him

Lakers' trade ideas: If not Andrew Wiggins, then who?

Andrew Wiggins was seemingly the No. 1 trade deadline target among the majority of the Lakers fans. However, with his stock dropping after Sunday's game, the attention will likely turn towards other potential options.

2024 All-Defensive nominee Herbert Jones appears to be an enticing option as a deadline acquisition. As of Sunday, the Pelicans are off to a winless run with six consecutive losses and are projected to fall in the lottery. Their best option might be to move their veteran players and commit to a rebuild.

Jones, 27, could be among the first names to hit the market. He's arguably a top-two asset who can still give the Pelicans great returns. Jones is making $13.9 million this year, so he has a tradeable contract. He's also on the books until the 2029-30 season after signing a three-year $68 million extension in July.

LA can dangle multiple trade packages for a deal. One could be around Maxi Kleber, Dalton Knecht, a 2031 first and a 2030 swap. The other could be Gabe Vincent instead of Kleber without the 2030 swap.

The Purple and Gold's general manager, Rob Pelinka, would have to be aggressive and include their only tradeable pick, as there will be competition around the league for Jones.

Other teams may complete a trade with young players and less valuable draft capital. But LA can entice New Orleans with the prospect of taking on expiring salary with a valuable pick instead.