The Los Angeles Lakers have agreed to transfer Deandre Ayton to the Washington Wizards in exchange for point 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 purchased by Portland.
The Bahamian basketball center started all 72 regular season games and all playoff games. But his numbers hit career lows across the board.
Since Walker Kressler's arrival to the Lakers on a four-year, $130 million sign-and-trade deal, Ayton has been left with nothing to do as Kessler is expected to start at center.
The Lakers are expected to pursue free agent centers next. Andre Drummond, Jonas Valanciunas and Kevon Looney are the names on his list, to back up Kessler.
The trade also helps the Lakers financially, as Ayton was owed $8.1 million and Hardy costs around $6 million.
Hardy spent last season torn 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.
