Sources: Lakers trading center Ayton to Wizards

The Los Angeles Lakers are trading center Deandre Ayton to the Washington Wizards for guard Jaden Hardy and two second-round picks in 2031 and 2032, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania. The move comes after L.A. agreed to a sign-and-trade with the Utah Jazz earlier this week to acquire center Walker Kessler, leaving the Lakers to look for a backup big man on the market. Washington, meanwhile, will add Ayton to a frontcourt rotation that includes Alex Sarr and Anthony Davis. Sarr, the No. 2 pick in the 2024 draft, underwent surgery last month to repair a fracture in his right foot, and Ayton is positioned as insurance during his recovery. Ayton joined L.A. after a buyout with Portland last summer and played 72 games, starting all of them, with 12.5 points on 67.1% shooting and 8.0 rebounds. He averaged 11.8 points, 10.8 rebounds, and 1.0 blocks in six games during L.A.’s first-round playoff win over Houston, but posted 7.3 points in the second round when the Lakers were swept by Oklahoma City. The trade could be facilitated through Washington’s $13.4 million Kelly Olynyk trade exception, which expires July 9.