Andrew Wiggins has been the latest obsession for the Los Angeles Lakers and their fans. Should the pursuit fail, Ochai Agbaji of the Toronto Raptors sticks out as a prime trade candidate for Rob Pelinka to still get what he wants out of a two-way upgrade on the wings.
The Miami Heat have never been the easiest team to negotiate with. The Lakers reportedly inquired about Wiggins much earlier in the offseason and were met with a trade demand so eye-popping that it stalled any potential negotiations dead in their tracks.
Wiggins makes a ton of sense for the Lakers as a proven contributor who should be capable of raising the ceiling of the team with his smooth fit. With multiple sources, including Jovan Buha, Marc Stein and Dan Woike, pointing to the Heat forward throughout the offseason, the desire is clear.
Should Pat Riley prove as relentless as ever, new Toronto Raptors head of basketball operations Bobby Webster may be more flexible in trade negotiations. Agbaji has the gifts to make Pelinka's efforts of building a proper contender prove worthwhile.
Ochai Agbaji checks every box as the Lakers’ safer swing
Agbaji had his best year as a pro in 2024-25. The 25-year-old averaged career highs in points per game (10.4), rebounds per game (3.8), steals per game (0.9), field goal percentage (49.8), 3-point percentage (39.9), true shooting percentage (60.1), win shares (1.5), and value over replacement player (0.5).
Some of those marks had low levels of competition, allowing for the clear career high. However, it just made it all the more obvious just how much Agbaji had improved in his first full season with the Raptors.
Defensively, Agbaji's athletic tools are obvious and it allows for some strong individual results. Raptors reporter Esfandiar Baraheni pointed out the biggest selling points in a recent write-up for Raptors Republic.
Baraheni wrote, "[Agbaji] does well pressuring the ball high up the floor. His quick feet enable him to stick onto faster guards, and his wider frame helps him guard up a few positions. ... He can slot into any lineup and do what’s asked of him."
A player like Agbaji, who can play the two, three, or the four, should have no issues getting minutes under normal circumstances. However, the Raptors are stacked at those spots.
Scottie Barnes, Brandon Ingram, and RJ Barrett should occupy the starting positions. Gradey Dick, Ja'Kobe Walter, Collin Murray-Boyles, and even Jamison Battle should push Agbaji for minutes off the bench too.
The Lakers can offer Agbaji a clearer path to regular minutes. There is even an easy argument to make for starting the two-way wing for his defensive upside and floor spacing ability.
Agbaji's $6.3 million contract for 2025-26 should not be tremendously difficult for the Lakers to build a trade package around. If the pursuit of Wiggins fails completely, the Raptors wing is worth a long look.