Warriors' nightmare Andrew Wiggins scenario may not come true after all
The Golden State Warriors traded Andrew Wiggins to the Heat in February as part of the deal for Jimmy Butler. It was a lot for fans to process given how unexpected it was, but it worked out for the Warriors, at least in the second half of the season. That doesn't mean Wiggins' departure doesn't still sting, and the latest words from NBA insider Marc Stein don't help.
On Monday, Stein guessed that the kind of player to interest the Lakers is none other than Wiggins (subscription required). He wrote that he wouldn't have listed Wiggins as an LA target before the team acquired Luka Dončić, but that things are a lot different now than they were. Stein is right about that.
The NBA insider pointed out that the Heat intend for Wiggins to start the season in Miami. He noted that if the Heat eventually decides to "prioritize financial flexibility," then the Lakers could be one of the interested teams.
Los Angeles is prioritizing future financial flexibility itself, but unlike Miami, the Lakers have a shot to win the title this season. They desperately need a two-way wing after losing Dorian Finney-Smith, and Wiggins would be a good fit, but there's one thing that could keep LA away from the wing, and it's kind of important.
Lakers may not want to take on Andrew Wiggins' salary
Wiggins will make $28.2 million this season and has a $30.2 million player option in 2026-27 that, in all likelihood, he'll exercise. Los Angeles would have to give multiple players to match Wiggins' salary this season, gutting depth that already is an issue.
If Wiggins had a rocky second half of the season with the Lakers (let's assume a midseason trade happens), then they'd be on the books for his $30 million the following season.
Perhaps the two reasons above will be enough to keep LA away from Wiggins, but you truly never know what will happen in the NBA. The Lakers could feel pressured to pursue Wiggins if they have a strong start to the season and truly believe they can be the last team standing in June with him in the starting lineup.
It's not now-or-never for Los Angeles thanks to the Luka trade, but the Lakers could hit the gas and go after what could be LeBron's last chance to win a title in purple and gold. Wiggins could be the short-term upgrade they need.
Warriors fans can only hope that he won't end up in LA, regardless of what happens. No matter how much he's beloved in the Bay, it'd be impossible to root for him, even a little bit, if the Heat traded him to the... Lakers.
Joe Flacco Gets Honest on Quinshon Judkins Joining Browns
The Cleveland Browns could have a new-look running back room in Week 2.
The Browns officially signed rookie Quinshon Judkins to his deal, as he was the last draft pick to sign. Although Judkins signed, he may not play in Week 2, but he will be back practicing with the team.
Ahead of Judkins returning to the team, the Browns’ starting quarterback, Joe Flacco, is excited for the rookie running back to be a part of the offense.
“I think it’s exciting for him,” Flacco said about Judkins after the Week 1 loss. “I mean, we got to see him a little bit in the spring, and he, you know, looked like a hell of a ball carrier. So, listen, I think we’re going to need all the pieces at some point, and different guys are going to need to step up at different points in the season. I think he’s a big part of what this football team could be, so it’s good to have him back. And I’m excited for him to kind of get in there and feel like he can be part of the team again.”
Judkins will be a key part of the Browns’ offense once he is able to play, but it’s uncertain if he will be in the lineup in Week 2.
Judkins was selected 36th overall by the Browns in 2025.
Browns Noncommittal on Judkins Playing Week 2
Although Judkins signed before Week 1, he missed all of training camp and preseason, so he will need some time to ramp up.
However, Browns coach Kevin Stefanski said he isn’t sure if Judkins will play in Week 2.
“We’ll see,” Stefanski said. “Gotta get through this week of practice. I don’t know.”
The NFL is also set to meet with Judkins to discuss his legal issue, which has now been resolved.
In Judkins’ absence, the Browns used Jerome Ford and Dylan Sampson in Week 1. Sampson rushed for 29 yards on 12 carries, while Ford rushed for 8 yards on 6 carries. Sampson, however, added 64 receiving yards on 8 receptions as he was a big part of the Browns’ passing game.
Cleveland is set to go on the road to play the Baltimore Ravens in Week 2.
Cleveland Had High Praise for Judkins
The Browns used an early Day 2 pick to select Judkins to be a star running back for the team.
Following the pick, Browns general manager Andrew Berry said they viewed Judkins as a bell cow running back.
“We feel like he’s just a very well-rounded back,” Berry said. “We’ve obviously been spoiled over the past couple of years, particularly with Nick and Kareem (Hunt). And we feel like he is very much in that mold in terms of skill set. Not necessarily saying that he’s going to, with certainty, develop into one of those players. We certainly hope that’s the case. But we think that he can be a bell cow runner that can really carry the load for us.”
The hope for the Browns is that Judkins will be able to play in Week 2. But it is likely he will need at least another week to get up to speed.
