The Los Angeles Lakers are reshaping their frontcourt again, and Deandre Ayton is already on the move. ESPN’s Shams Charania reported that the team is trading the center to the Washington Wizards for Jaden Hardy and two future second-round picks.
The deal comes just days after Ayton opted into his $8.1 million player option for the upcoming season. In his lone season with the Lakers, he averaged 12.5 points, 8 rebounds and 1 block per game while playing a career-high 72 games.
Why Ayton Became Available
Ayton’s exit makes sense in the context of the Lakers’ recent frontcourt changes. The team acquired Walker Kessler and signed him to a four-year, $130 million contract in a sign-and-trade with the Utah Jazz, then added free-agent forward/center Sandro Mamukelashvili on a four-year, $52 million deal.
| Player | Team Involved | Key Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Deandre Ayton | To Wizards | 12.5 points, 8 rebounds and 1 block per game in 72 games |
| Jaden Hardy | To Lakers | Part of the return package with two future second-round picks |
| Walker Kessler | To Lakers | Four-year, $130 million sign-and-trade acquisition |
| Sandro Mamukelashvili | To Lakers | Signed to a four-year, $52 million contract |
Ayton originally signed a two-year, $16.2 million contract with the Lakers that included his player option for the 2026-27 season. The move gives Washington a veteran center, while Los Angeles turns the page after a season in which Ayton logged the most games of his career.
This breaking news story will be updated.