Lakers acquire guard Jaden Hardy from Wizards in trade

The Los Angeles Lakers traded for guard Jaden Hardy from the Washington Wizards on July 3, 2026, as part of a deal that also included the departure of Deandre Ayton for two second-round picks. Hardy, a 6-foot-3 player from Detroit, was drafted 37th overall in 2022. He averaged 8.4 points, 1.7 rebounds, and 1.3 assists in his career so far, showing a strong three-point shooting ability, making 42% of his shots from beyond the arc during a recent 23-game stretch with the Wizards. His performance will be crucial for the Lakers moving forward.

• 5:24 PMYahoo Sports — Who is Jaden Hardy? How Lakers' new guard from Wizards trade can help