After a blockbuster offseason headlined by Giannis Antetokounmpo, the rejuvenated veteran wing could quietly be the X-factor in Miami.
The Miami Heat just wrapped up one of their biggest offseasons as a franchise. They added one of the best players in the NBA in Giannis Antetokounmpo while surrounding him with a plethora of veteran talent such as Klay Thompson, Tim Hardaway Jr. and Bobby Portis. The only other offseason where the Heat made a move for one of the top players in the league is when they added LeBron James in 2010, who, along with the "Big Three", led the team to three straight NBA Finals appearances. While the Heat's offseason was very successful, there is a player remaining with the roster who may be getting overlooked by the general public and could be in for a real solid campaign.
Andrew Wiggins, 31, opted into the final year of his contract and agreed to a two-year, $34 million extension with the Heat in June, essentially making it a three-year, $64 million contract.
The forward has built a lot of pedigree throughout his decade-long career thus far. He was drafted by the Cleveland Cavaliers with the first pick in 2014 and was immediately sent to the Minnesota Timberwolves as the main outgoing piece in the blockbuster Kevin Love deal. With Minnesota, Wiggins never broke out as the player many expected he would become but was a real solid piece of their team for many seasons. He was dealt to the Golden State Warriors in 2020, where he was the third scorer behind Stephen Curry and Thompson. He went on to earn an All-Star nod with them and help win an NBA title in 2022.
He was the main piece sent back to Miami in 2025's Jimmy Butler trade and has carved out a nice role for himself as a strong three-and-d wing. Now, he is reunited with Thompson and Wiggins doesn't gave to carry a high scoring load alongside Antetokounmpo, Thompson and Bam Adebayo. This rotation is shaping up for Wiggins to have a role more similar to his tenure in Golden State and if that is the case, Wiggins could see some tremendous success playing alongside multiple All-Stars.
There are rumblings that the Heat are interested in Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving and Wiggins would almost certainly have to be included in a potential deal. However, if Wiggins can show that he can be that solid third or fourth option, then Miami would be ill-advised to make such a move.
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