{"id":158963,"date":"2025-09-13T22:38:49","date_gmt":"2025-09-14T02:38:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/?p=158963"},"modified":"2025-09-13T22:38:49","modified_gmt":"2025-09-14T02:38:49","slug":"lakers-heat-andrew-wiggins-dalton-knecht-trade-rumors","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2025\/09\/13\/lakers-heat-andrew-wiggins-dalton-knecht-trade-rumors\/","title":{"rendered":"Report: Potential Pieces of Lakers, Heat Talks Revealed"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Lakers have spun the tires on trade talks weeks ahead of training camp, revamping their <\/span>search for two-way wings<\/span><\/a> while coming to grips with what it could cost them.<\/span><\/p>\n

Report: Potential Pieces of Lakers, Heat Talks Revealed<\/b><\/h2>\n

Sidery: Lakers Open to Moving Knecht in Package for Wiggins<\/b><\/h3>\n

According to Forbes NBA insider Evan Sidery, the Lakers and Heat have \u201creopened\u201d trade talks around former champion and All-Star <\/span>Andrew Wiggins<\/span><\/a>, with forward <\/span>Dalton Knecht<\/span><\/a> once again in the mix.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cLos Angeles is very open to moving former first-round pick Dalton Knecht alongside necessary expiring salary,\u201d <\/span>Sidery posted on X<\/span><\/a> Saturday. \u201cMiami wants a future first-round pick attached in the package.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This development comes days after a <\/span>reported shift in the Lakers\u2019 strategy<\/span><\/a>, as they are now open to receiving long-term salary to build around <\/span>Luka Doncic<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

An athletic three-level scorer who frequently guards opposing stars, Wiggins has returned to the spotlight of Lakers trade rumors months after initial talks went nowhere. With the team\u2019s frontcourt needs still glaring and the season inching closer, many Lakers fans and analysts view him as a legitimate upgrade. However, replies to Sindery\u2019s report drew skepticism over Miami\u2019s asking price.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNot getting a first because any\u00a0 one on one team trade would have to include Rui,\u201d Fred Robledo, a sports editor for the Southern California News Group, <\/span>wrote in response<\/span><\/a>. \u201cNo way they get Rui, Knecht, filler AND first rounder for 30 year old Wiggins who has an extra years worth of salary.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Some Lakers fans<\/span><\/a> appeared comfortable with surrendering their lone tradable first-round pick, while others <\/span>cautioned against it<\/span><\/a>, believing Heat President Pat Riley is <\/span>\u201ctrying to finesse\u201d<\/span><\/a> his <\/span>former franchise<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Curious Case of Knecht<\/b><\/h3>\n

Drafted 17th overall in 2024, <\/span>K<\/span>necht<\/span> has re-emerged in trade rumors months after the rescinded trade<\/a> that would\u2019ve sent him to Charlotte. Despite a decent rookie campaign (9.1 PPG on 37.6% 3PT), his Summer League struggles significantly affected his trade value.<\/span><\/p>\n

In six games between Sacramento and Las Vegas, Knecht <\/span>averaged<\/span><\/a> 11.7 points and 4.8 rebounds on .321\/.237\/.643 splits. Lakers insider Jovan Buha soon reported that, according to his sources, Knecht was <\/span>\u201cno longer worth a first-round valuation.\u201d<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

\"Los
Nov 21, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Dalton Knecht (4) and guard Austin Reaves (15) talk on the court in the first half against the Orlando Magic at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Did the Lakers Sign Knecht\u2019s Replacement?<\/b><\/h3>\n

With the Lakers potentially leaning toward moving on from Knecht, one question to ponder is who could replace him in the depth chart. Luckily, the team may have inadvertently signed his replacement in the offseason.<\/span><\/p>\n

Jake LaRavia<\/span><\/a> figures to have a decently sized role in the Lakers rotation as a 3-and-D forward. If Knecht heads out the door in favor of Wiggins, those expectations may be expedited on a team with championship aspirations.<\/span><\/p>\n

The 23-year-old combo forward averaged 6.9 points on .475\/.423\/.678 splits with the Kings last season. In the last couple of years, he quietly improved as a perimeter threat off the catch while making some strides on defense. Inked to a two-year, $12 million deal with the Lakers, the goal is for him to put it all together into a successful stint in LA.<\/span><\/p>\n

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The Lakers got some Wing depth by adding Jake LaRavia, who showed some improvement defensive impact, Off-Ball Shot Making, and Half Court Shot Making over his 23-24 season.<\/p>\n

LA is hoping LaRavia can put together his Offensive impact from 23-24 and his Defensive impact from 24-25\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/AfTrocFDUG<\/a><\/p>\n

— BBall Index (@The_BBall_Index) September 7, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n