The Los Angeles Lakers are sending center Deandre Ayton to the Washington Wizards in exchange for guard Jaden Hardy and second-round draft picks in 2031 and 2032, sources told ESPN’s Shams Charania on Friday.
Los Angeles, which earlier this week reached a sign-and-trade agreement with the Utah Jazz for center Walker Kessler, is expected to look to the market for frontcourt depth. Sources told Charania that Andre Drummond, Jonas Valanciunas and Kevon Looney are among the backup center options under consideration.
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The incoming second-round selections give the Lakers a chance to rebuild some of their future draft inventory after surrendering two future first-round picks and two future pick swaps in the deal for Kessler.
For Washington, Ayton joins a frontcourt group that includes Alex Sarr, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2024 NBA draft, and 10-time All-Star Anthony Davis. Sarr had surgery last month to address a fracture in his right foot, making Ayton a valuable layer of insurance for the Wizards while Sarr works his way back.
Ayton landed with the Lakers last summer after reaching a buyout with the Portland Trail Blazers. He appeared in 72 games, starting each one, and averaged 12.5 points on 67.1% shooting with 8.0 rebounds. He played a key role in Los Angeles’ first-round playoff win over the Houston Rockets, posting 11.8 points on 60.4% shooting, 10.8 rebounds and 1.0 blocks across six games, but his production dipped in the second round as the Lakers were swept by the Oklahoma City Thunder, averaging 7.3 points on 45.2% shooting and 7.8 rebounds.
According to ESPN NBA front office insider Bobby Marks, the Wizards could absorb Ayton using their $13.4 million Kelly Olynyk trade exception, which expires July 9. If Washington takes that route, it would generate a new $6 million exception.
Hardy, who previously played alongside Luka Doncic in Dallas, averaged 12.6 points on 44.3% shooting, including 42% from 3-point range, along with 1.7 rebounds and 1.3 assists in 23 games after being dealt to Washington last season. The 23-year-old has two years and $12 million left on his contract, with a team option for the 2027-28 season.
