The Los Angeles Lakers may be sitting comfortably at 17–7, but their flaws were brutally exposed in a 132–119 blowout loss to the San Antonio Spurs. The defeat didn’t damage their position in the Western Conference standings, but it peeled back the curtain on a roster with clear weaknesses — shaky bench production, poor perimeter defense, and a growing reliance on star power to mask structural issues. And now, a stunning three-team trade idea is gaining serious traction around the league.
The concept is bold, controversial, and franchise-altering.
Proposed Trade Framework
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Lakers receive: Andrew Wiggins, GG Jackson
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Heat receive: Ja Morant, Rui Hachimura, Lakers’ 2032 first-round pick
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Grizzlies receive: Tyler Herro, Maxi Kleber, Memphis’ 2029 and 2031 first-round picks
On paper, it’s chaos. In reality, it might make uncomfortable sense for all three teams.
For the Miami Heat, moving Tyler Herro would be a seismic decision. But it’s one they’ve quietly prepared for. With Herro’s future extension looming and long-standing rumors about his fit as a franchise centerpiece, Miami could view Ja Morant as a higher-ceiling gamble — even with the risk attached.
Morant, a two-time All-Star, has not looked like himself this season. He’s averaging 17.9 points and 7.6 assists on an inefficient 35.9% shooting, and his relationship with Memphis has reportedly deteriorated following early-season friction with the coaching staff. League insiders believe he may already be angling for a fresh start.
South Beach offers exactly that.
Miami’s culture is famously unforgiving, structured, and demanding — the polar opposite of chaos. If there’s an organization capable of rehabilitating Morant’s image and game, it’s the Heat. Adding Rui Hachimura, who is quietly averaging 13.7 points on elite efficiency, gives Miami a versatile, low-drama rotation piece to soften the loss of Andrew Wiggins.
Still, this is a high-risk bet. If Morant doesn’t change, Miami could be inheriting a problem instead of a superstar.
The Grizzlies don’t want to tear it down — even at 11–13. This deal allows them to pivot without surrendering competitiveness. Tyler Herro becomes the centerpiece, and at 25 years old, he fits neatly alongside Jaren Jackson Jr. as a long-term offensive engine.
Since returning from injury, Herro has been on fire, averaging 23.2 points while shooting over 50% from the field and 40% from three. He gives Memphis spacing, shot creation, and stability — all things they’ve lacked amid turbulence.
Maxi Kleber is largely a financial tool. His $11 million expiring contract offers cap flexibility, and the two future first-round picks provide long-term insulation. For a team navigating uncertainty, this is a controlled reset — not a collapse.
This deal is built for the Lakers.
Andrew Wiggins has been linked to Los Angeles for months, and for good reason. He’s a proven two-way wing with championship experience, perimeter defense, and reliable scoring — exactly what the Lakers lack. Replacing Rui Hachimura with Wiggins in the starting lineup is a clear upgrade, especially for a team hemorrhaging points on the wing.
Wiggins is averaging 16.9 points, nearly five rebounds, and over two combined steals and blocks while shooting efficiently from deep. His $58 million remaining contract aligns with the Lakers’ win-now timeline around LeBron James and Anthony Davis.
Then there’s GG Jackson.
The 20-year-old forward hasn’t played much this season, but his upside is undeniable. For the Lakers, he represents a low-cost developmental swing — something they rarely get to take while chasing titles.
On the surface, everyone.
The Lakers fix their most glaring roster issues. The Grizzlies stabilize and gain flexibility. The Heat land a superstar talent with game-breaking upside.
But the real risk belongs to Miami.
Ja Morant is brilliant — and volatile. If Heat culture transforms him, this deal could redefine the Eastern Conference. If it doesn’t, Miami may be tying its future to the league’s most unpredictable asset.
One thing is certain: if even part of this trade framework becomes real, the NBA landscape could shift overnight.
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