The Los Angeles Lakers have agreed to trade Deandre Ayton to the Washington Wizards in exchange for guard Jaden Hardy and two second-round picks, for 2031 and 2032.
Ayton, who exercised his $8.1 million player option days earlier, is on the move again after spending just one season with his current team. The athlete joined the Lakers last summer after being traded out of Portland.
The Bahamian basketball center started all 72 regular season games and every playoff game. But his numbers hit career lows across the board.
Since Walker Kressler’s arrival to the Lakers for a four-year, $130 million sign-and-trade deal, there was nothing left for Ayton to do as Kessler is expected to start at center.
The Lakers are expected to chase free agent centers next. Andre Drummond, Jonas Valanciunas and Kevon Looney are the names on their list to back up Kessler.
The trade also helps the Lakers financially, as Ayton was owed $8.1 million and Hardy costs about $6 million.
Hardy spent last season split between Dallas and Washington. He was part of the trade that sent Anthony Davis, D’Angelo Russell and Dante Exum to the Mavericks. He averaged nearly nine points per game. game while shooting effectively from the field.
