Lakers Trade Deandre Ayton to Wizards in Surprising Move Ahead of 2026 Season

After just one season with the Los Angeles Lakers, center Deandre Ayton is being traded to the Washington Wizards. Ayton, who exercised his player option for the upcoming season, will be exchanged for guard Jayden Hardy and two second-round draft picks. This trade could signal further roster changes for the Lakers. Ayton earns $2.4 million more than Hardy, who holds a team option for next season.

Ayton started 463 of 470 career games but is expected to become a bench player behind Anthony Davis and Alex Caruso. Last season, he averaged 12.5 points and 8 rebounds per game, the lowest output of his career since being the first overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft. Recent reports suggest the Lakers are interested in acquiring forwards Rui Hachimura or Jonathan Kuminga and are also targeting centers such as Andre Drummond, Jonas Valanciunas, and Kevon Looney in the free-agent market.

In related NBA news, former Portland Trail Blazers player Caleb Love signed a two-way contract with the Philadelphia 76ers, allowing him to play in both the NBA and the G League next season. Love averaged 10.4 points over 49 games last season.