Lakers trading Deandre Ayton to Wizards for Jaden Hardy, picks

July 3, 2026

The Lakers’ offseason makeover isn’t finished yet.

According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, Los Angeles is trading veteran center Deandre Ayton to the Wizards in exchange for guard Jaden Hardy and second-round picks in 2031 and 2032.

The move comes just days after the Lakers landed Walker Kessler in a blockbuster sign-and-trade with the Jazz, making it clear Kessler will be the franchise’s starting center moving forward.

Charania added that the Lakers will now turn their attention to finding a veteran backup behind Kessler. Among the names under consideration are Jonas Valanciunas, Andre Drummond and Kevon Looney.

The deal also continues what has been one of the busiest offseasons in the NBA.

Along with acquiring Kessler, the Lakers have agreed to sign Quentin Grimes, Sandro Mamukelashvili and Collin Sexton while watching longtime franchise star LeBron James depart in free agency.

Ayton, 28, spent just one season in Los Angeles after signing as a free agent in the summer of 2025. He originally joined the Lakers on a two-year contract after being recruited in part by Luka Doncic.

While his stay proved brief, Ayton had several memorable moments, including a dominant January performance in which he scored 25 points on a perfect 10-for-10 shooting while grabbing 13 rebounds in a win over Toronto. He also earned the NBA Cares Bob Lanier Community Assist Award for his hurricane relief efforts in Jamaica and community work in Los Angeles.

Financially, the move also provides the Lakers with additional flexibility. Ayton was entering the 2026-27 season on an $8.4 million contract, while Hardy is owed approximately $6 million.

For Washington, the trade adds another experienced big man to a frontcourt that already includes Anthony Davis and Alex Sarr. The Wizards were relatively quiet during the opening days of free agency before making this move.

Meanwhile, the Lakers appear intent on continuing to remake their roster around Doncic and Kessler, with another veteran center likely to be their next addition.

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