Lakers trade Deandre Ayton to Wizards for Jaden Hardy and future picks
Yahoo Sports • 2 min read • Latest: Jul 3, 2026, 6:07 PM
Last updated Jul 3, 2026
The Los Angeles Lakers are trading center Deandre Ayton to the Washington Wizards in exchange for guard Jaden Hardy and two future second-round picks. Ayton opted into his $8.1 million player option just days prior, and the trade follows the Lakers’ acquisition of Walker Kessler. The move appears to provide Ayton a chance to secure a starting role, partnering with Anthony Davis in Washington. The Lakers gain a young guard in Hardy, who averaged 12.6 points with the Wizards last season, along with valuable draft capital for future transactions.
- •Ayton traded to Wizards for Hardy and two future draft picks.
- •Lakers acquired Walker Kessler prior to the trade.
- •Ayton opted into an $8.1 million player option.
- •Hardy averaged 12.6 points after joining the Wizards.
- •Lakers gain flexibility for future roster moves.
- 2:15 AMYahoo Sports — Lakers are trading Deandre Ayton to the Wizards
- 10:45 PMYahoo Sports — Trade Grade: Lakers Send Center Deandre Ayton to Wizards
- 9:52 PMYahoo Sports — Lakers sending Ayton to the Wizards for Hardy and 2 second-round picks, AP source says
- 8:15 PMYahoo Sports — Deandre Ayton traded to Wizards; Caleb Love signs two-way deal with 76ers
- 6:54 PMESPN — Sources: Lakers trading center Ayton to Wizards
- 5:59 PMYahoo Sports — Lakers Trade Deandre Ayton to Wizards, Acquire Jaden Hardy and Future Picks
"Deandre Ayton is being traded from the Los Angeles Lakers to the Washington Wizards, according to a person with knowledge of the deal. The Lakers have agreed to send Ayton to Washington for Jaden Hardy and second-round draft picks in 2031 and 2032, according to the person who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Friday because the trade was not yet official.
"Two former Arizona Wildcats men’s basketball stars are heading east. The Los Angeles Lakers on Friday traded center Deandre Ayton to the Washington Wizards in exchange for Jaden Hardy and two second-round picks, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported. Ayton recently opted in to the second year of his contract with the Lakers, which will now transfer […]
"The Los Angeles Lakers have reportedly made another offseason move, trading center Deandre Ayton to the Washington Wizards in exchange for guard Jaden Hardy and two future second-round picks, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania.
Sources
External links- Yahoo SportsJul 4, 2026, 2:15 AMLakers are trading Deandre Ayton to the Wizards
The Lakers are trading Deandre Ayton and getting some decent value in return.
- Yahoo SportsJul 3, 2026, 10:45 PMTrade Grade: Lakers Send Center Deandre Ayton to Wizards
How did the Lakers do in trading Deandre Ayton?
- Yahoo SportsJul 3, 2026, 9:52 PMLakers sending Ayton to the Wizards for Hardy and 2 second-round picks, AP source says
Deandre Ayton is being traded from the Los Angeles Lakers to the Washington Wizards, according to a person with knowledge of the deal. The Lakers have agreed to send Ayton to Washington for Jaden Hardy and second-round draft picks in 2031 and 2032, according to the person who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Friday because the trade was not yet official.
- Yahoo SportsJul 3, 2026, 8:15 PMDeandre Ayton traded to Wizards; Caleb Love signs two-way deal with 76ers
Two former Arizona Wildcats men’s basketball stars are heading east. The Los Angeles Lakers on Friday traded center Deandre Ayton to the Washington Wizards in exchange for Jaden Hardy and two second-round picks, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported. Ayton recently opted in to the second year of his contract with the Lakers, which will now transfer […]
- ESPNJul 3, 2026, 6:54 PMSources: Lakers trading center Ayton to Wizards
The Lakers are trading center Deandre Ayton to the Wizards for guard Jaden Hardy and a pair of future second-round picks, sources told ESPN's Shams Charania.
- Yahoo SportsJul 3, 2026, 5:59 PMLakers Trade Deandre Ayton to Wizards, Acquire Jaden Hardy and Future Picks
The Los Angeles Lakers have reportedly made another offseason move, trading center Deandre Ayton to the Washington Wizards in exchange for guard Jaden Hardy and two future second-round picks, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania.
Original reporting and copyright belong to the linked sources. SportsNewsReport.com aggregates and links — it does not republish full articles.
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