The Los Angeles Lakers are still interested in trading for Miami Heat small forward Andrew Wiggins, sources told Lakers Daily.
However, many people around the NBA remain skeptical that the Lakers can pull a deal off since the odds of Miami Heat president Pat Riley helping the Purple and Gold are very, very low.
It’s been over a decade, but Riley still hasn’t gotten over LeBron James leaving the Heat for the Cleveland Cavaliers in the summer of 2014, sources said.
Wiggins has many fans within the Lakers organization. He’s an athletic wing who can defend at a high level, get to the rim at will and finish in heavy traffic and shoot from beyond the arc. The Kansas product is averaging 17.2 points, 5.1 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game this season for the Heat while shooting 47.7 percent from the field, 36.7 percent from 3 and 73.6 percent from the free-throw line.
A one-time All-Star, Wiggins is making $28.2 million this season. His player option for next season is worth $30.2 million.
In other news, NBA legend Chris Paul is unlikely to sign with another team after getting sent home by the Los Angeles Clippers, sources said. The Clippers are expected to release Paul after the veteran guard rubbed teammates, coaches and front office members the wrong way.
While Paul is friends with James and Lakers head coach JJ Redick, Paul won’t be joining the Lakers and he has probably played his last NBA game, sources said.
A future Hall of Famer, Paul played in 16 games this season for the Clippers, who have one of the worst records in the NBA. He put up 2.9 points, 1.8 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game while shooting 32.1 percent from the field, 33.3 percent from beyond the arc and 50.0 percent from the free-throw line.
The Lakers currently have an open roster spot, but they can’t sign a 15th player until January 19.