The Los Angeles Lakers are expected to be a major player in the trade market ahead of Feb. 5. According to an NBA Insider, a high-impact 3&D wing who’s rumored to be available in trade talks is the perfect target for them.
Insider Suggests the Lakers Can Acquire a 3&D Wing To Address Their Needs
The Lakers are set on offense, with Luka Dončić and LeBron James at the helm. That offense will become even deadlier once Austin Reaves returns from the calf injury he sustained back in December.
What the Lakers need most right now is talent that will contribute on defense, as well as depth. According to NBA Insider Mike Scotto, Miami Heat forward Andrew Wiggins is a possible answer to these problems.
In the latest episode of “The Canadian Basketball Show” podcast, Scotto gave his assessment on the possibility of a Wiggins trade materializing.
“Andrew Wiggins has been linked to the Los Angeles Lakers, they need a 3&D guy,” Scotto said. “Anybody that’s in that kind of market, Wiggins has a chance to draw some interest from.”
Scotto added that while the Heat might listen to offers for Wiggins, trading him now is not a priority. With the possibility of acquiring Antetokounmpo looming this summer, the Heat will need to hold on to assets that can make that trade a possibility.
This leaves the Lakers with the option of pursuing trade targets elsewhere. Interestingly, they might also be waiting to see how they can get into the Antetokounmpo sweepstakes, should the Milwaukee Bucks decide to trade him.
“Andrew Wiggins has been linked to the Los Angeles Lakers. They need a 3&D guy. Anybody that’s in that kind of market, Wiggins has a chance to draw some interest from.” – @MikeAScotto via @TheCBSPod https://t.co/JUMPS3a1dy pic.twitter.com/M77pAULaEq
— Dru (@dru_star) January 20, 2026
Statistically, the Lakers are one of the worst in the NBA. They are in the middle third of the league in steals per game at 8.1 and rank 28th in blocks at 4.0. Their inability to force turnovers and protect the paint gives them a defensive rating of 117.4, which is 25th best in the league.
Their abysmal per-game averages have also led to them allowing the 19th-most points per game at 116.7.
Wiggins won’t necessarily raise the amount of steals and blocks they generate per game. However, he is a high-impact effort guy who can play off the Lakers’ stars to generate his own numbers.
Should they manage to acquire him in a trade, LA also has to be prepared for the possibility of him leaving in the summer. He is in year three of a four-year $109,000,002 contract. However, he has a player option for 2026-27, which means he can decide to become an unrestricted free agent much sooner.
