Lakers, Miami Heat Held Trade Talks Ahead of 2025 NBA Draft: Reports

Rob Pelinka and Pat Riley got on the phone to try and work out a deal, possibly for Bam Adebayo or Andrew Wiggins.

Lakers, Miami Heat Held Trade Talks Ahead of 2025 NBA Draft: Reports

Rob Pelinka, Pat RIley (FS Image)

Both the Los Angeles Lakers and the Miami Heat are two teams that look likely to go nowhere fast. While the Lakers still have a bright future with Luka Doncic in their ranks, the Heat is looking for its own Doncic. A homegrown star who could be a franchise player on a contender is very hard to come by. But these are necessary in the modern NBA to win. Each of the last five NBA titles was powered by a homegrown player.

There have been reports regarding Bam Adebayo and Andrew Wiggins being shipped around the NBA. The Heat were able to blood and develop Kel’el Ware as a stretch 5 in the latter half of the season. But Adebayo’s timeline likely doesn’t align with what the Heat now confronts – a big rebuild. Andrew Wiggins, similarly, is a win-now player aged 30 who can be a great contributor on a championship team.

The Heat tried to trade Wiggins and other draft compensation for Kevin Durant, but were rebuffed by him. KD apparently wanted to stay in control of his preferred destination, Houston, and got the asking price down for the Suns. In doing so, they even turned down offers from the Spurs as well as the Cavaliers. This now leaves them the only option being to tank and build around young players like Herro and Jaime Jaquez Jr.

The Lakers will need to add defensive strength, which both Bam Adebayo and Wiggins could aid in. But the Heat will demand a good amount of picks for Adebayo, who’s in his prime and has better defensive pedigree. Wiggins, given his contract, could end up needing two-three picks going to the Heat as well. But the Lakers are yet to reach any constructive outcome in their pursuit, according to the latest reports.

The Lakers, in turn, would need to offer Austin Reaves, Rui Hachimura and draft picks in exchange. Luka Doncic and LeBron James will be looking to make a final championship run for the four-time champion. But to do so, they need to put more emphasis on players with two-way ability on good contracts. Wiggins likely helps with this, but the Lakers may not have enough to entice Pat Riley into biting on their offer.

Who can the Lakers realistically target in trade or free agency?

The Lakers have more than enough offensive firepower even if they are able to send Austin Reaves away. Luka Doncic is enough to supercharge any NBA offense when he’s on the court, as is LeBron James. But it will be hard for them to find a trade partner, even though Reaves is on a great, cost-controlled contract. Reaves is due for a max extension in the summer of 2026, which will leave him with less suitors on the market.

Lakers looking to build championship team around LeBron James and Luka Doncic
Lakers looking to build championship team around LeBron James and Luka Doncic (Image via Blockbet/X)

While Rui Hachimura did his part for the Lakers against Minnesota, he does not seem to be the type of player who can hang with a real contender. Sacrificing him should also be on the cards. But the Lakers will need more depth and role players to replace these two players rather than an established star. They’ve already been bitten by this approach during the 18 months with Russell Westbrook.

The team direly needs a center who can guard the paint and more defenders with size. They need guard defenders to fend off the point of attack as well, but those are in short supply. A deal with Boston for Derrick White would improve many teams, but arch rivals never transact in the NBA. There are precious few other options – although Jrue Holiday could be one.

Also Read: