{"id":203618,"date":"2026-07-03T13:52:13","date_gmt":"2026-07-03T17:52:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/?p=203618"},"modified":"2026-07-03T13:52:13","modified_gmt":"2026-07-03T17:52:13","slug":"lakers-trade-ayton","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2026\/07\/03\/lakers-trade-ayton\/","title":{"rendered":"Lakers Trade Deandre Ayton to Wizards for Jaden Hardy, Picks"},"content":{"rendered":"

After a rollercoaster season from the former No. 1 pick, <\/span>Deandre Ayton<\/span><\/a>\u2019s time in Los Angeles is officially over. Per <\/span>ESPN\u2019s Shams Charania<\/span><\/a>, the Lakers have traded him to the Washington Wizards for <\/span>Jaden Hardy<\/span><\/a> and two future second-round picks.<\/span><\/p>\n

Lakers Trade Deandre Ayton to Wizards for Jaden Hardy, Picks<\/h2>\n

In a polarizing 72 games, the 7-footer averaged 12.5 points 8.0 rebounds and a block per game while shooting 67.1% from the field. Flashes of double-double dominance were often countered with inconsistency and <\/span>immaturity<\/span><\/a>. That led the Lakers to reopen their search for a true answer at center\u2014which they received Wednesday with the addition<\/a> of <\/span>Walker Kessler<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/smartframe-embed><\/p>\n

With Ayton out the door, the Lakers now have to determine who will back up Kessler this season. Initial <\/span>reports<\/span><\/a> have linked them to a familiar face in <\/span>Andre Drummond<\/span><\/a>, who played for LA in 2021. The two-time All-Star is coming off a decent stretch with the Philadelphia 76ers, where he put up 6.4 points and 8.4 rebounds in 63 games (25 starts). <\/span>Jonas Valanciunas<\/span><\/a>, who the Lakers previously eyed from afar, is another option, according to Charania. In 65 games with Denver, he averaged 8.7 points, 5.1 rebounds and 1.2 assists on 58.2% shooting.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

The Lakers will now focus on finding Walker Kessler's backup on the market — with centers such as Andre Drummond, Jonas Valanciunas and Kevon Looney among those being considered, sources said.<\/p>\n

The Wizards took a patient approach to the start of free agency and now land a\u2026 https:\/\/t.co\/3GEA9Wx7gY<\/a><\/p>\n

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 3, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n