The Los Angeles Lakers have traded center Deandre Ayton to the Washington Wizards for guard Jaden Hardy and second-round draft picks in 2031 and 2032, a person with knowledge of the deal told The Associated Press.
Ayton, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft, heads to Washington after spending just one season in Los Angeles. The 7-foot big man averaged 12.5 points and 8.0 rebounds in 72 games for the Lakers last season, his ninth in the league. He began his career with five seasons in Phoenix, followed by two years in Portland before joining the Lakers.
For his career, the Bahamas native has averaged 15.8 points and 10.1 rebounds per game while shooting 59% from the field, establishing himself as one of the league's most consistent interior forces.
The trade continues an ambitious rebuild for the Wizards, who have won just 50 games over the past three seasons. Washington added Trae Young and Anthony Davis last offseason, then selected AJ Dybantsa with the No. 1 pick in last month's draft. With Ayton now in the fold, the Wizards boast three former No. 1 overall picks on their roster — Davis, Ayton and Dybantsa — plus 7-footer Alex Sarr, creating a formidable frontcourt.
Ayton's departure is part of a turbulent summer for the Lakers. LeBron James is not returning to the franchise, and Los Angeles has also dealt two first-round picks and two first-round pick swaps as part of a sign-and-trade to acquire big man Walker Kessler from the Utah Jazz. The moves signal a significant roster reset for the purple and gold.
Sources
- https://apnews.com/article/lakers-wizards-trade-deandre-ayton-77693c05d11b91b59009f9d10bbe379b
