Report: Lakers, ex-Suns center Deandre Ayton traded to the Wizards

Former Phoenix Suns center Deandre Ayton has been traded from the Los Angeles Lakers to the Washington Wizards, ESPN’s Shams Charania first reported Friday.

Charania added that the former No. 1 pick out of Arizona was dealt to the Wizards for Jaden Hardy and two second-round picks in 2031 and 2032.

Ayton played in 72 games last season with the Lakers, averaging 12.5 points on 67.1% shooting and eight rebounds per game. In the postseason, he averaged 10 points on 54.8% shooting and 9.6 rebounds in 10 games played.

Ayton had previously exercised his option to return to the Lakers for a second season before the start of free agency.

The news of the deal comes as the Lakers have undergone a massive roster overhaul this offseason. LeBron James, a 22-time All-Star, informed the Lakers ahead of free agency that he would not be returning to Los Angeles.

Since then, the Lakers have reportedly made several moves to add to their roster around Luka Doncic, including Walker Kessler, Quentin Grimes, Sandro Mamukelashvili and Collin Sexton.

Ayton played his first five seasons with the Suns (2018-23), averaging 16.7 points on 59.7% shooting. He was a key member of the 2020-21 Suns squad that reached the NBA Finals.

Ayton later signed a max contract with Phoenix in 2022 after inking an offer sheet with the Indiana Pacers that the Suns matched.

His time in Phoenix did not last much longer. In 2023, he was traded to the Portland Trail Blazers in a three-team deal that also sent Damian Lillard to the Milwaukee Bucks and brought Grayson Allen and Jusuf Nurkic to the Suns.

Ayton spent one season in Portland before signing with the Lakers last year on a two-year deal.

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