Seeing Andrew Wiggins depart as part of the blockbuster Jimmy Butler trade in February was a bitter pill to swallow for the Golden State Warriors, albeit it quickly emerged as the right move given their stunning turnaround after the All-Star break.![]()
Having Wiggins in Miami and out of the Western Conference also helps to a degree, but that could be about to change as the pacific rival Los Angeles Lakers gears up for a potential run at the 2022 All-Star.
Andrew Wiggins heading to the Lakers would be frustrating
The Lakers had been known as a team prioritizing cap space for next offseason and beyond, with LeBron James potentially coming off the books as the 4x MVP enters an expiring $52.6 million contract.
Yet with Luka Doncic's future now secured after signing a three-year, $165 million extension, the Lakers are now more open to trade possibilities according to NBA insider Marc Stein on Monday. That could lead them back to Wiggins after initial rumblings of their interest in the former Warrior earlier in the offseason.
"Wiggins, 30, will earn $28.2 million this season and holds a $30.2 million player option for 2026-27. I wouldn't have classified him as a potential purple-and-gold target before Dončić's long-term future was secured, but things are different now," Stein wrote. "So my sense is that the Lakers would have interest if the Heat, in coming weeks or months, decide to prioritize financial flexibility and look to reduce payroll."
A Wiggins trade to the Lakers would leave the Warriors scathing given they know just how well the Canadian can mould with star players, having done so beautifully alongside Stephen Curry as the second-best player on Golden State's 2022 championship team.
Wiggins may not be the dominant player many expected from a former No. 1 overall pick, but he's settled into being a highly valuable 3-and-D forward capable of knocking down threes at a high clip and guarding the opposition's best player when required.
That sort of player is just what the Lakers need given the ball dominant nature of Doncic and James, leaving no surprise as to why Rob Pelinka and the front office may have their eye on Wiggins who averaged 18 points, 4.5 rebounds and shot 37.4% from 3-point range in his 60 combined games with the Warriors and Heat last season.
A move to the Lakers would suddenly see the Warriors face Wiggins four times throughout the regular season, and may potentially set up some fascinating battles given he'd likely get the job of trying to guard Curry.
Adding Wiggins would also simply make the Lakers better in the short-term (depending on the trade package), something that certainly impacts the Warriors given the similar stature of both teams in a loaded conference.
Eagles Make Shocking Deal For ‘Underrated, Underused’ AFC South RB
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For much of the offseason we’ve wondered what Philadelphia Eagles general manager Howie Roseman was going to do with a war chest of draft picks accumulated over the last few years.
The answer has been — pretty much anything he wants.
Roseman’s wheeling and dealing stayed at an electric pace following Philadelphia’s Week 1 win over the Dallas Cowboys, with the Eagles sending a 2025 fifth round pick and 2025 sixth round pick to the Jacksonville Jaguars in exchange for third year running back Tank Bigsby.
“Trade: Jaguars are sending RB Tank Bigsby to the Philadelphia Eagles in exchange for 2026 fifth- and sixth-round picks, per sources,” ESPN’s Adam Schefter wrote on September 8.
Bigsby creates a crowded running backs room in Philadelphia with reigning NFL Offensive Player of the Year Saquon Barkley, A.J. Dillon and Will Shipley already on the roster.
Bigsby was a grossly underrated and underused weapon last season in Jacksonville with 820 yards of total offense and 7 touchdowns in 16 games with just 1 start while playing behind Travis Etienne.
‘Underrated’ RB Shined During SEC Days
Bigsby, 5-foot-11 and 215 pounds, was the SEC Freshman of the Year in 2020 with 918 yards of total offense and 5 touchdowns for Auburn. He earned All-SEC honors each of the next 2 seasons as he racked up over 1,100 yards of offense each year and 10 touchdowns in both 2021 and 2022.
Bigsby finished his college career with an impressive 3,354 yards of total offense and 25 touchdowns in 3 seasons before leaving school early for the NFL. He ran the 40-yard dash in 4.45 seconds at the NFL scouting combine and the Jaguars selected him in the third round (No. 88 overall) in the 2023 NFL draft.
NFL draft analyst Lance Zierlein actually predicted Bigsby might shine in a “Dynamic Duo” sort of backfield in the NFL in his pre-draft evaluation.
“Fumbling has been a concern in the past, and he might not be much help on third downs or special teams,” Zierlein wrote in 2023. “His size, creativity and quickness could create an opportunity for teams to pair Bigsby with another back to form an effective tandem in a zone-scheme rushing attack.”
Eagles Backfield Could Be Moveable Object
Shipley was effective in a backup role to Barkley against the Cowboys with 3 carries for 26 yards but was forced to leave the game with a rib injury — he might not be right physically to play in Week 2 against the Chiefs.
Dillon, a free agent signee, wasn’t effective awhen he had the ball with 3 carries for 10 yards — he just might not be the right fight.
Enter Bigsby, who could thrive in his first chance playing for a competent NFL franchise. The Jaguars were 13-21 over his first 2 seasons, including a 4-13 record in 2024.
“The eagles running back room has to be the best in the league right?” X user Malibu wrote on his official account following the trade.
“To those who don’t know… Tank Bigsby is legit,” X user Rob Hodge wrote. “Only 24 years old… Rushed for 766 yards and 7 TD’s last season. Perfect RB2…”
“Tank Bigsby is a legit good running back” SB Nation’s Will Rucker wrote on his official account. “Howie is always going to strike when he feels he can get value. This is your RB2a
