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 acquired by Portland.
The Bahamas basketball center started all 72 regular season games and all playoff games. But his numbers hit a career low across the board.
Since Walker Kressler came to the Lakers on a four-year, $130 million sign-and-trade deal, Ayton had nothing left to do as Kessler was 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 support Kessler.
The trade also helps the Lakers financially, as Ayton was owed $8.1 million and Hardy cost around $6 million.
Hardy spent last season 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 while shooting efficiently from the field.
