Home / Sports / Lakers-Heat Trade Rumors Debunked
Lakers-Heat Trade Rumors Debunked
1 Feb
Summary
- Social media reports of a Lakers-Heat trade for Hachimura and Wiggins were false.
- A parody account originated the false trade rumors, including the Nets.
- An executive cited strained relationships as a reason for the unlikelihood of a trade.
Reports circulating on social media inaccurately claimed that the Los Angeles Lakers had traded guard Rui Hachimura to the Miami Heat for Andrew Wiggins in a three-team deal. These false rumors were initiated by a parody account on X, which also included the Brooklyn Nets in the fabricated transaction.
The fraudulent report alleged that the Nets would acquire center Maxi Kleber and a future first-round pick from the Lakers. Although mock trades involving Hachimura, Dalton Knecht, and a first-round pick for Wiggins have been discussed, the initial social media claims were baseless.
Adding to the skepticism, an anonymous NBA executive suggested that any trade involving Wiggins and the Lakers is improbable. This executive pointed to a strained relationship between Heat executive Pat Riley and LeBron James, stemming from James's departure from Miami in 2014, as a reason for Riley's potential reluctance to facilitate such a deal.
This executive further speculated that Riley would be hesitant to help a team led by James, particularly one with championship aspirations. The Miami Heat are reportedly valuing Andrew Wiggins highly, and there is an indication that they would demand a significant return, making a trade with the Lakers unlikely.
