Lakers Insider Drops Bombshell ‘Boldest Prediction’

The Athletic’s Jovan Buha, a beat writer for the Los Angeles Lakers, predicts that JJ Redick’s team will be a “legitimate title contender” in the 2025-26 season, provided they can acquire a quality wing defender like Andrew Wiggins.

Such an addition, Buha believes, would ease the workload on LeBron James, Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, who struggled guarding the perimeter in the 2025 playoffs.

Buha made the comments as part of his “boldest prediction” for the 2025-26 season.

“The Lakers, with the right move, can vault themselves up to the Tier 1 [of NBA title teams] and have a legit chance to win a championship,” he told “The Buha’s Block” podcast, before explaining the need to add a player like Wiggins.

Buha then cited reports of the Lakers showing interest in Wiggins.

‘Ideal Player’ to Pair with Big 3

“If the Lakers were to get Andrew Wiggins, or a player of that ilk, a player of that archetype — I think that’s the ideal player to put besides Luka Doncic, LeBron James and Austin Reaves,” Buha continued.

“A two-way wing who can guard multiple positions, including backcourt players and wings, and take that burden off LeBron, Luka, Austin and Rui [Hachmura], turning them into help defenders — but also someone who can complement the skill sets of Marcus Smart and Rui Hachimura.”

Buha felt the acquisition of Wiggins would move Smart, Hachmiura, and Co. to more of a bench role, where they’d be “better suited and more useful.”

What Should Lakers Give Up?

Ever since reports surfaced of the Lakers’ potential interest in Wiggins, analysts and fans alike have pondered what Rob Pelinka and Co. should offer the Miami Heat.

The most obvious answer would be to part with the expiring contracts of Rui Hachimura and either Gabe Vincent or Maxi Kleber. Jarred Vanderbilt is another option, but the lanky wing has a player option for the 2026-27 season, meaning teams such as the Heat may be skeptical to take on his contract.

“Rui may be a part of the Miami trade, if there’s a potential trade for Andrew Wiggins,” he said. “Ideal version of that trade would be to keep Rui…. If you can find a guy like Wiggins, with Rui and Smart coming off the bench, I think that puts the Lakers in that next tier [of Western Conference teams].”

Buha added, “So my boldest prediction for the Lakers is that, with the right move, specifically adding a two-way wing, I truly believe the Lakers have a shot to win the championship.”

The Lakers insider conceded that, as constructed, the Lakers won’t be able to compete with the Oklahoma City Thunder, the reigning NBA champions, the Denver Nuggets, and the Houston Rockets — the three prohibitive favorites in the West.

“I currently have the Lakers as the fifth-best team in the West,” he concluded.

During the start of the NBA’s free agency period, several reports suggested that the Lakers had reached out to the Heat with interest in Wiggins. At the time, Buha reported that the Heat were seeking Hachimura, Dalton Knecht, and a first-round pick.

Warriors Urged to Land NBA Champion Guard to Pair With Curry

The Golden State Warriors remain stuck in the Jonathan Kuminga saga. The 22-year-old forward is still a restricted free agent, and the standoff has left Golden State frozen in place this summer. Around the league, the belief is that Kuminga doesn’t want to be part of the organization long-term. The problem? The Warriors haven’t yet found a trade that makes sense.

One dream scenario has been floated by Sports Illustrated’s Liam Willerup: a swap with the Boston Celtics for guard Derrick White.

Warriors Linked to Derrick White

White has quietly become one of the most valuable guards in the league. He doesn’t have superstar shine, but he does everything that wins games—defense, ball movement, shot-making, and composure in big moments.

Most points on 50/40/90% splits in a playoffs:

466 — Larry Bird (1986)387 — Kevin Durant (2019)332 — Kawhi Leonard (2017)267 — Derrick White (2023) pic.twitter.com/PLQLGQKnNv

— StatMuse (@statmuse) September 3, 2025

For the Warriors, White would be a dream fit. He could slot in next to Stephen Curry, guard the toughest backcourt assignments, and play off the ball in lineups with Curry, Jimmy Butler, and Draymond Green. On paper, he’s the perfect “new Splash Bro.”

But that’s exactly why Boston wouldn’t want to part with him. With Jayson Tatum sidelined for the season, White’s role is even more critical. Unless the Warriors were willing to throw in multiple first-round picks on top of Kuminga, it’s hard to see the Celtics entertaining the idea.

The Boston Celtics ‘laughed’ at the Toronto Raptors’ trade offer for Derrick White, per @ZachLowe_NBA

“There were reports that the Raptors offered the No. 9 pick for Derrick White. I’m told that’s true, but that it happened a month and a half ago after Jayson Tatum got hurt,… pic.twitter.com/v0vYenueJX

— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) June 29, 2025

Why It’s Unlikely but Tempting

As Willerup notes, White will turn 32 at the start of next season. The Celtics could, in theory, pivot younger to extend their window. Still, it’s a stretch. Boston has shown no indication they’d move White, and the Warriors have in the past been extremely reluctant to part with draft capital—reserving that kind of package only for an MVP-level superstar, the type of player Giannis Antetokounmpo would represent if he were ever to become available.

That’s why this feels like fantasy more than reality. Kuminga on his own doesn’t command the kind of value White holds. If anything, this would be a “best case” return for Golden State in what has become a disastrous situation with Kuminga’s restricted free agency.

And yet, if there were ever a price for White, the Warriors should pay it. Multiple firsts, even. He’s the exact kind of player who could steady this roster, elevate Curry in the backcourt, and give Golden State its best shot at squeezing one more deep playoff run out of this core.