Lakers Trade Ayton to Wizards for Hardy, Two Picks
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- Lakers trading center Deandre Ayton to the Wizards for guard Jaden Hardy and two second-round picks in 2031 and 2032, per ESPN's Shams Charania
- Lakers agreed to a sign-and-trade for center Walker Kessler earlier this week, parting with two future first-round picks and two future pick swaps to restock now via the Ayton deal
- Lakers now searching for a backup big man, with Andre Drummond, Jonas Valanciunas and Kevon Looney among candidates under consideration
- Ayton played all 72 games as a starter for L.A., averaging 12.5 points on 67.1% shooting and 8.0 rebounds; he averaged 11.8 points and 10.8 rebounds in the first-round win over Houston but dropped to 7.3 points on 45.2% shooting in the OKC sweep
- Wizards adding Ayton to a frontcourt with 10-time All-Star Anthony Davis and 2024 No. 2 pick Alex Sarr, who is recovering from right foot surgery
- Washington could absorb Ayton into its $13.4 million Kelly Olynyk trade exception, which expires July 9, and would create a new $6 million exception by doing so
- Hardy, a former Dallas teammate of Luka Doncic, averaged 12.6 points on 44.3% shooting (42% from three) in 23 games after being traded to Washington; the 23-year-old has two years and $12 million remaining plus a 2027-28 team option
Why it matters: The Lakers shed a center whose production cratered from 11.8 points against Houston to 7.3 on 45.2% shooting against OKC while recouping draft capital depleted by the Kessler deal. Washington absorbs Ayton into a $13.4M trade exception that expires July 9, buying frontcourt depth while No. 2 pick Alex Sarr rehabs from foot surgery alongside Anthony Davis.
