Former KU star Andrew Wiggins agrees to hefty contract extension with Miami Heat
Former University of Kansas men’s basketball guard Andrew Wiggins, who has career earnings of $250 million over a 12-year NBA career, has reached agreement on a new three-year, $64 million contract with the Miami Heat, ESPN reported Monday.
This means the 6-foot-6, 31-year-old Toronto native will be part of a starting lineup that includes Giannis Antetokounmpo, a 10-time all-star and two-time MVP recently acquired by Miami in a deal with the Milwaukee Bucks.
Wiggins, the No. 1 pick in the 2014 NBA Draft after a one-and-done college season at KU, on Monday picked up his $30.2 million player option for the 2026-27 season. He will be paid that sum in 2026-27 then receive $34 million in the final two years of the deal. Wiggins’ contract includes a player option in the third season (2028-29).
Wiggins averaged 15.4 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 2.7 assists per game with the Heat last season while shooting 47.5%. He scored in double figures in eight of Miami’s final 10 games.
Wiggins has played 1 1/2 seasons with Miami. Before that he spent five seasons with Golden State and 6 1/2 campaigns with Minnesota.
He faced a Monday deadline of 5 p.m. to decide whether to pick up the $30 million option for 2026-27 or become a free agent.
“He’s a touch pricey for a role player, but it feels like money well spent when he’s such a rock-solid support piece,” wrote Zach Buckley of Bleacher Report. “He defends across multiple positions. He shines as a play-finisher both going to the basket and launching from long range. He has a bit of bail-out ability when the offensive system is struggling to get going.”
Wiggins during his career has averaged 18.2 points (47.5% from the field, 41.4% from 3), 4.5 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game. He was an all-star in 2022, helping Golden State win an NBA title.
“Wiggins arguably is coming off the best shooting season of his career. His .784 from the foul line and .414 on 3-pointers were career highs, with his .475 from the field just two percentage points off his career best,” wrote Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel.
Coach Eric Spoelstra told Winderman: “He guards one through five for us. He guards at the top of the zone for us. He’s able to do all the switching that we do with certain lineups. Sometimes, because he’s so effective defensively, you forget that this guy was a big-time scorer earlier in his career.”
Wiggins told the Sun Sentinel at the end of the season: “I love Miami and I’m happy here. I always believe in myself and what I can do. That’s all I need to know.”
Wiggins in 2013-14 at KU averaged 17.1 points and 5.9 rebounds per game.
