The Miami Heat’s offseason has been anything but quiet, with the future of Andrew Wiggins dominating headlines and front-office conversations across the NBA. The 30-year-old Canadian forward, a former No. 1 overall pick and NBA champion, has become one of the league’s most intriguing trade chips as teams look to reshape their rosters ahead of the 2025–26 campaign. But as of mid-August, the Heat have held firm, keeping Wiggins in South Beach—at least for now.
Wiggins’ name has been swirling in trade rumors since the end of the 2024–25 season, and for good reason. After a midseason move from the Golden State Warriors, Wiggins provided a spark for Miami, averaging 19.0 points, 4.2 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 1.2 steals, and 1.0 blocks per game over 17 appearances. He shot 36.0% from beyond the arc, offering the kind of two-way versatility that teams covet. Before joining the Heat, he put up 17.6 points, 4.6 rebounds, 2.4 assists, and 0.9 steals with 37.9% three-point shooting in 43 games for the Warriors. Those numbers, combined with his championship pedigree, have kept rival executives on high alert.
Yet, despite the buzz, Miami’s price for Wiggins has been steep. According to Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints, "While the Heat ultimately kept the former first overall pick, they were willing to deal Wiggins if they received an instant-impact player, along with an upcoming first-round pick before 2028." That asking price has proven to be a sticking point for would-be suitors. The Los Angeles Lakers, long rumored to be eyeing Wiggins as a missing piece alongside LeBron James, balked at Miami’s demands. Lakers insider Jovan Buha reported, "I’ve reported/shared what I’ve heard, which is that [Miami has] been asking for the first [pick] and Dalton [Knecht], which I think is overpay for Wiggins. I think they also want Rui [Hachimura] too because they want to remain competitive."
The Lakers aren’t the only team circling. The Milwaukee Bucks have also shown interest, hoping to pair Wiggins with Giannis Antetokounmpo to bolster their title hopes and keep their franchise cornerstone content. League sources told Siegel, "The Milwaukee Bucks, league sources said, were one of the teams to inquire about Wiggins." With Milwaukee looking to reload and the Lakers searching for that extra push, Miami’s leverage remains strong—so long as Wiggins continues to produce at a high level.
Of course, trade interest hasn’t been limited to the NBA’s elite. The Washington Wizards have emerged as a potential landing spot in a scenario that would send Khris Middleton and two 2026 second-round picks to Miami in exchange for Wiggins and Haywood Highsmith. While Middleton’s recent injury history and declining production make him a less-than-ideal return, the deal would allow the Heat to clear cap space ahead of the 2026 offseason and move off Wiggins’ player option for the 2026–27 season. As one report put it, "For the Heat, the main purpose of this deal is to free up cap space for the 2026 offseason. Miami has been trying to make this happen all summer, but nothing has been able to come together."
For Washington, the logic is clear: Wiggins brings veteran leadership and playoff experience to a young roster, potentially forming a dynamic duo with guard C.J. McCollum. The Wizards hope that by adding Wiggins, they can push for a Play-In spot and accelerate their rebuild. "Washington has brought in multiple veterans to lead this young group, and Wiggins could be the perfect complementary player for this squad," one analysis noted. "Playing alongside guard C.J. McCollum could be beneficial for Wiggins, giving the Wizards some real veteran leadership for the season."
Back in Miami, the Heat’s offseason has been defined by patience—some might say stagnation. The only notable additions have been Norman Powell and Simone Fontecchio, while the core trio of Bam Adebayo, Tyler Herro, and Andrew Wiggins remains intact. The team is also looking for growth from sophomore Kel’el Ware, who flashed potential during his rookie campaign. After a turbulent season marked by Jimmy Butler’s drama and a first-round playoff exit, the Heat are eager to turn the page and focus on basketball. But is the current roster enough to make noise in the Eastern Conference?
Not everyone is convinced. An anonymous Eastern Conference scout, quoted by Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald, offered a blunt assessment: "Let’s start with who’s better. I see six teams, for sure: New York, Cleveland, Orlando, Atlanta, Detroit, Milwaukee. Philadelphia is better if they’re healthy. So I would say the Heat’s a solid play-in team." The scout praised Adebayo, Herro, and Powell, but didn’t mince words about Wiggins: "Andrew Wiggins is meh at this point." According to the scout, "It’s around a .500 team. If they won 45, it would be a great year. They’re not bad, but they’re not good. Chicago is mediocre. The Heat are maybe a little better than mediocre. They have three very good NBA players with Adebayo, Herro, and Powell. We’ll see about Ware."
That skepticism isn’t unfounded. The Heat have been bounced in the first round of the playoffs in back-to-back seasons. And while Wiggins hasn’t recaptured the All-Star form that helped the Warriors win a title in 2022, he remains a valuable two-way player who can contribute on both ends. His ability to defend multiple positions, knock down threes, and fill in the gaps has kept him in the Heat’s plans—for now. But with trade rumors swirling and Miami’s front office seeking flexibility, his long-term future is anything but assured.
What happens next? That’s the million-dollar question. The Heat could choose to keep Wiggins and make another playoff push with their current core. Or they might revisit trade talks as the season progresses, especially if a contender is willing to meet their asking price. For now, all eyes are on Miami’s front office, as they weigh the risks and rewards of holding onto their most coveted asset.
As the NBA offseason rumbles on, Andrew Wiggins remains at the heart of Miami’s plans—and the center of the league’s rumor mill. Whether he stays in South Beach or finds a new home before the season tips off, one thing’s for sure: the Andrew Wiggins sweepstakes are far from over, and the Heat’s next move could shape the Eastern Conference landscape for years to come.
