Crazy Trade? Heat Request Lakers to Sacrifice Rui Hachimura, Dalton Knecht, and a Pick to Acquire Wiggins

In one of the most unexpected trade rumors of the 2025 NBA offseason, the Miami Heat have reportedly approached the Los Angeles Lakers with a bold trade proposal centered around Golden State Warriors forward Andrew Wiggins. According to sources close to the situation, the Heat have requested the Lakers part with key rotation players Rui Hachimura, promising young guard Dalton Knecht, and a future first-round pick to facilitate the potential multi-team deal for Wiggins.

If this blockbuster trade comes to fruition, it would dramatically reshape the Lakers’ roster, which has already undergone significant changes since their seismic Anthony Davis-for-Luka Doncic trade earlier this year.

Lakers’ Front Office Faces Another Dilemma

The Lakers recently filled their biggest offseason need by signing Deandre Ayton to a two-year, $16.6 million deal, solving their center problem following Davis’s departure. Ayton, who surprisingly became a free agent after agreeing to a buyout and being waived by the Trail Blazers, now joins a Lakers roster led by LeBron James, Luka Doncic, and Austin Reaves.

But now, the potential trade scenario has raised questions about the Lakers’ depth and long-term plans. Sending away Hachimura and Knecht—both critical supporting pieces—and giving up another valuable draft asset would thin out the Lakers’ rotation but could give them a dynamic two-way wing in Wiggins, whose defense and championship pedigree could complement James and Doncic.

Dalton Knecht: The Rookie Already in Trade Talks

Dalton Knecht, the sharpshooting rookie out of Tennessee, has quickly gained trade value. Though the Lakers selected him as a potential piece of their future, his name has been repeatedly linked to trade discussions. According to ClutchPoints’ Anthony Irwin, Knecht was already part of the rescinded trade for Mark Williams last season and remains one of the most talked-about Lakers in the trade market this summer.

“Knecht’s name has come up in plenty of trade discussions this summer,” Irwin reported. “Teams are intrigued by his scoring upside and his rookie contract.”

Rui Hachimura: A Popular Trade Target

Rui Hachimura, meanwhile, is entering the final year of his contract and is considered one of the more movable assets on the Lakers’ roster. The versatile forward has attracted interest from multiple teams, with Miami viewing him as a player who could bolster their forward rotation alongside Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo.

As Irwin explained, “Rui Hachimura is a popular target of other teams who call the Lakers. His salary and contract status make him a logical trade chip.”

Lakers Unlikely to Move Austin Reaves

Despite the swirling trade rumors, Austin Reaves remains off-limits. Reaves, who turned down a max extension to remain with the Lakers in the hopes of competing for a title alongside James and Doncic, is seen as part of the team’s core. He is under contract through 2026-27, with a player option for that final year.

Reaves is expected to form the long-term Lakers backcourt with Doncic, making him a foundational piece in their post-Davis rebuild.

Andrew Wiggins: A Risk or a Reward?

The main target of this trade, Andrew Wiggins, remains a polarizing figure. After struggling with injuries and inconsistency over the past two seasons in Golden State, Wiggins is still one of the league’s most capable two-way wings when healthy. His ability to defend elite perimeter scorers and provide scoring punch from the wing could prove invaluable for a Lakers team chasing one last championship with LeBron James.

However, Wiggins’ sizeable contract, coupled with his inconsistent play, makes this a risky proposition for the Lakers. He’s owed $85 million over the next three years, meaning the Lakers would be heavily investing in a player whose prime years may already be behind him.

What the Heat Are Thinking

For the Heat, the motivation is clear: they want to build around Butler and Adebayo while retooling with younger, cost-controlled talent. Adding Hachimura and Knecht could give Miami more scoring options and depth at forward, something they’ve lacked since losing Max Strus and Gabe Vincent in free agency.

The Heat have long admired Hachimura’s size and midrange scoring, while Knecht’s perimeter shooting could address Miami’s offensive inconsistencies.

The Trade Framework (Hypothetical)

A potential three-team deal could look like this:

• Lakers receive: Andrew Wiggins

• Heat receive: Rui Hachimura, Dalton Knecht, Lakers’ 2031 first-round pick

• Warriors receive: Kyle Lowry’s expiring contract (from Miami), possibly a future second-rounder

Such a deal would give the Warriors financial flexibility while allowing the Heat to stockpile young talent, and the Lakers would acquire a proven veteran to bolster their wing rotation.

Fans and Analysts Split on the Deal

Reactions across social media and NBA circles have been mixed:

➡️ Some Lakers fans see Wiggins as the missing piece for a defensive-minded championship core alongside LeBron and Doncic.

➡️ Others argue that giving up Knecht’s potential and Hachimura’s production, plus a first-round pick, is too steep a price for a player coming off two down seasons.

➡️ Heat fans are excited by the idea of adding two young contributors without sacrificing their core stars.

➡️ Warriors fans mostly welcome the idea of moving Wiggins’ contract to free up cap space and open minutes for younger players like Jonathan Kuminga and Moses Moody.

What’s Next for the Lakers?

The Lakers’ front office has been aggressive since their franchise-altering Davis trade and shows no signs of slowing down. With LeBron nearing the twilight of his career, the pressure is on to maximize this championship window.

If they pull the trigger on this Wiggins trade, it signals a win-now mindset, with the Lakers banking on Wiggins rediscovering his All-Star form alongside Doncic and LeBron.

But if they hold firm and keep Knecht and Hachimura, it could suggest a more cautious approach, betting on internal development and salary cap flexibility.

Final Word: High Stakes, Uncertain Payoff

The Lakers’ offseason has already been filled with seismic moves. Whether or not they add Wiggins to the mix, it’s clear the front office is exploring every avenue to build a contender around Doncic and LeBron.

The proposed deal with the Heat could go down as another bold stroke—or a costly gamble. Either way, the Lakers remain at the center of the NBA’s summer trade drama.