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Lakers continue their makeover by trading Ayton
Los Angeles Times
|July 04, 2026
They agree to send center to Wizards for guard Hardy and pair of second-round picks.
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JASON MILLER Getty Images
THE LAKERS acquired guard Jaden Hardy, top, for Deandre Ayton when he became expendable.
The Lakers are trading center Deandre Ayton to the Washington Wizards for guard Jaden Hardy and two second-round draft picks, in 2031 and 2032, people not authorized to speak publicly confirmed to The Times on Friday.
Ayton had returned to the Lakers after an up-and-down first season with the team, picking up his player option for $8.1 million last Sunday. But he became expendable once the Lakers agreed to acquire 24-year-old center Walker Kessler from the Utah Jazz and sign him to a four-year, $130-million contract.
The Ayton trade left the Lakers in the market for a backup center. Several veterans including Jonas Valanciunas and Kevon Looney still were available Friday.
ROBERT GAUTHIER L.A. Times
This story is from the July 04, 2026 edition of Los Angeles Times.
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