Lakers sending Ayton to the Wizards for Hardy and 2 second-round picks, AP source says
- On Friday, the Los Angeles Lakers traded center Deandre Ayton to the Washington Wizards for guard Jaden Hardy and two second-round picks in 2031 and 2032.
- After acquiring center Walker Kessler from the Utah Jazz in a sign-and-trade deal, the Lakers reshaped their frontcourt, making Ayton expendable as they pivoted to a new roster strategy.
- The transaction saves approximately $2.1 million under the salary cap, while Hardy is owed $6 million next season with a $6 million team option for 2027-28.
- Los Angeles is now pursuing a veteran backup center to complement Kessler, with Andre Drummond, Jonas Valanciunas, and Kevon Looney emerging as leading candidates, according to ESPN's Shams Charania.
- Building a younger, more flexible supporting cast around Luka Doncic remains the team's priority following the departure of LeBron James.
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Lakers ship Ayton to Wizards for Hardy, 2 second-round picks
WASHINGTON (AP) — Deandre Ayton is being traded from the Los Angeles Lakers to the Washington Wizards, according to a person with knowledge of the deal.The Lakers have agreed to send Ayton to Washington for Jaden Hardy and second-round draft picks in 2031 and 2032, according to the person who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Friday, July 3, because the trade was not yet official.Ayton, the No. 1 pick in the 2018 draft, pla…
"Pelinka finally got AD a center", "Trying to build new Mavericks around Luka": Lakers Fans Meltdown As Deandre Ayton Flipped To Wizards In Shock Move
The LA Lakers are moving on from Deandre Ayton, after ESPN's Shams Charania reported on Friday that the big man is being traded to the Washington Wizards.
Angelinos receive Jaden Hardy and two second-round elections in the drafts of 2031 and 2032
Another prominent member of the Los Angeles Lakers is leaving. After it became clear that the evergreen LeBron James will no longer play for the Lakers next season, American media are now reporting that center Deandre Ayton, who was selected first overall by the Phoenix Suns in the 2018 draft, is moving to the Washington Wizards. In the meantime, Marcus Smart, Luke Kennard and Jaxson Hayes, who recently became a naturalized Slovenian, have also …
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