The Los Angeles Lakers have agreed to trade center Deandre Ayton to the Washington Wizards in exchange for guard Jaden Hardy and the Wizards’ second-round selections in 2031 and 2032, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported.
The deal arrives only days after Los Angeles acquired Walker Kessler from the Utah Jazz in a blockbuster sign-and-trade, signaling that Kessler is set to become the Lakers’ starting center.
Charania noted that the Lakers will now pursue a veteran reserve behind Kessler. Players under consideration include Jonas Valanciunas, Andre Drummond and Kevon Looney.
Ayton, 28, joined the Lakers as a free agent in the summer of 2025 on a two-year contract worth $8.4 million for the 2026-27 season. Though his Los Angeles tenure lasted just one year, he delivered several standout moments, such as a 25-point, 13-rebound performance on 10-for-10 shooting against Toronto in January. He also received the NBA Cares Bob Lanier Community Assist Award for his hurricane-relief work in Jamaica and community initiatives in Los Angeles.
Hardy, owed roughly $6 million, gives the Lakers additional salary flexibility while adding backcourt depth. The Lakers’ busy offseason already includes agreements with Quentin Grimes, Sandro Mamukelashvili and Collin Sexton, along with the departure of long-time star LeBron James in free agency.
For Washington, Ayton enhances a frontcourt featuring Anthony Davis and rookie Alex Sarr. The Wizards had been relatively quiet during the opening stage of free agency before striking this agreement.
Los Angeles continues restructuring its roster around Luka Doncic and Kessler, with another experienced center expected to be the club’s next target.
Source: Hoops Wire
