TRADE: Ayton to WAS | Hardy + 2 2nds to LAL

[SleepingHero]

@ShamsCharania

Just in: The Los Angeles Lakers are trading Deandre Ayton to the Washington Wizards for Jaden Hardy and two Wizards second-round picks in 2031 and 2032, sources tell ESPN.

[SleepingHero]

@ShamsCharania

The Lakers will now focus on finding Walker Kessler's backup on the market -- with centers such as Andre Drummond, Jonas Valanciunas and Kevon Looney among those being considered, sources said.

The Wizards took a patient approach to the start of free agency and now land a durable, reliable center to join Anthony Davis and Alex Sarr in the frontcourt

[KillerLeft]

“Reliable.”

What a fascinating little piece of business.

They really wanted rid of Ayton.

[Scott41theMavs]

Not real happy that our former castoff helped the Lakers add by subtracting. Good luck, Wizards!!

[omahen]

I think it is a good trade for Lakers. They badly need the SRPs and Hardy as expiring contract could perhaps have a little bit of value (don't see minutes for him on the Lakers).

While you are all shitting on Ayton, he actually wasn't bad. He was a perfectly good 8 mil per starting center. For example, he was excellent in the Houston series, where he battled great against the all star Sengun. I guess Lakers can live with a cheaper and worse back-up center, as they have bigger holes elsewhere on the roster.

[Chicagojk]

Nice trade. You weren’t going to get the good Ayton asking him to come off the bench. Momo can play backup center or they can look for a cheap guy.

I assume this is the first step to try to create money for a guy like Rui?

Better to get ahead of the upcoming Ayton season imo.

[KillerLeft]

I think it is a good trade for Lakers. They badly need the SRPs and Hardy as expiring contract could perhaps have a little bit of value (don't see minutes for him on the Lakers).

While you are all shitting on Ayton, he actually wasn't bad. He was a perfectly good 8 mil per starting center. For example, he was excellent in the Houston series, where he battled great against the all star Sengun. I guess Lakers can live with a cheaper and worse back-up center, as they have bigger holes elsewhere on the roster.

If he wasn't bad, that makes the Kessler move even crazier, imo. 

They're the ones dumping Ayton, not us.

[omahen]

If he wasn't bad, that makes the Kessler move even crazier, imo. 

They're the ones dumping Ayton, not us.

He is not a starting centre on a contender, of course not. Which 8 mil salary center is a starting centre on a contender (not counting guys on rookie deals)? He played well for a 8 mil per center

Lakers needed to upgrade to a quality starting centre and Ayton as a back-up became a luxury they could lose.

[Mavs2021]

Well it´s over for everybody. We all know when AD play next to a real center he becomes an unstoppable championship machine. LOL. Are they trying to piss off Sarr?

[KillerLeft]

He is not a starting centre on a contender, of course not. Which 8 mil salary center is a starting centre on a contender (not counting guys on rookie deals)? He played well for a 8 mil per center

Lakers needed to upgrade to a quality starting centre and Ayton as a back-up became a luxury they could lose.

Sure, I get it. 

Based on the fan reactions I've seen over the past few weeks coming out of LA...let's just say yours is among the more tolerant viewpoints on Ayton. Seems like people really hated having him on the team.

[Mavs2021]

Also that means Jaden Hardy was traded for a former #1 pick. Vindication. This trade is just comedy material.

[omahen]

Sure, I get it. 

Based on the fan reactions I've seen over the past few weeks coming out of LA...let's just say yours is among the more tolerant viewpoints on Ayton. Seems like people really hated having him on the team.

For me personally, it was clear since day 1 that Ayton will be the scapegoat for a lot of people for last season. He is who he is at this point. People expecting he will be something completely different built too high expectations for him. As well as for the Lakers, that were not a championship level team since the season start. A lot of people expected that which than only lead to finger pointing and blaiming through whole season.  

Ayton can do really well against slower and stronger centers like Sengun (he was great in the Houston series), his slow motorics and motor create him huge problems against really athletic and aggresive teams like OKC (he was bad in the OKC series).

He could be good as a back-up centre for Lakers, but the team badly need those SRPs and I am happy Lakers were able to extract value for a back-up centre.

[SleepingHero]

@itzok_Franko

Hopefully there is a follow up move because Ayton is a legit rotation player, while Hardy is not

[Jmaciscool]

Also that means Jaden Hardy was traded for a former #1 pick. Vindication. This trade is just comedy material.

He was traded with a former #1 pick and then traded for a former #1 pick. Wonder if that's been true for any other NBA players.

[SleepingHero]

I think it is a good trade for Lakers. They badly need the SRPs and Hardy as expiring contract could perhaps have a little bit of value (don't see minutes for him on the Lakers).

While you are all shitting on Ayton, he actually wasn't bad. He was a perfectly good 8 mil per starting center. For example, he was excellent in the Houston series, where he battled great against the all star Sengun. I guess Lakers can live with a cheaper and worse back-up center, as they have bigger holes elsewhere on the roster.

Ayton far outplayed his value last season.

But most of that was due to Luka. I will say and echo what Itzok said, but Lakers gave up their only backup C who is a legit rotation player for a bench scoring guard who cannot really play any defense.

[KillerLeft]

Ayton far outplayed his value last season.

But most of that was due to Luka. I will say and echo what Itzok said, but Lakers gave up their only backup C who is a legit rotation player for a bench scoring guard who cannot really play any defense.

Given how clearly and to the letter Pelinka seems to be following Luka's blueprint for team-building (at great cost), I'm tempted to assume part of the motivation here is Luka simply not wanting Ayton around.

[omahen]

Given how clearly and to the letter Pelinka seems to be following Luka's blueprint for team-building (at great cost), I'm tempted to assume part of the motivation here is Luka simply not wanting Ayton around.

If that would be the case, than LA would be bringing in much better wing defenders than they had  I think you are overthinking it. Lakers need to fill holes elsewhere and this move is imho certainly part of that. Hardy was not the target, obviously. Just best they could get for Ayton.

What alternatives would they have to create flexibility? Is anyone taking Vando without assets attached? Lakers didn't have assets for that, they might have now. Knecht or Bronny would also not bring anything of value.

[Chicagojk]

I don’t get this for Washington. Unless there is an AD trade coming. It is only a year but I would rather have the second round picks…even bad ones.

I thought the wizards made some good moves and the AJ pick could have been the one who jumps their rebuild. The Trae Young extension was the first sign that they may not be as good as I had hoped.

[KillerLeft]

I think you are overthinking it.

I think Pelinka is under thinking it.

[Chicagojk]

So what do they need to do to clear money for Rui or Kuminga. I think I would go with Rui. Neither are plus defenders but it would be an asset okay. Can they get to that number?

Or are you looking a a Thybulle type player?