The Los Angeles Lakers traded Deandre Ayton to the Washington Wizards for Jaden Hardy and two second-round draft picks on Friday, which signaled that Bronny James will likely be dealt to wherever LeBron James lands in free agency. The Lakers wanted to replenish their draft capital and save $2.1 million from this trade. Hardy gives them another athletic guard who is a plus-shooter. They now have Quentin Grimes, Collin Sexton, rookie Cameron Carr, Dalton Knecht, and Bronny in the backcourt behind Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves.
This move creates a desperate need at the five, and gives them one too many guards. The Lakers traded a massive haul for Walker Kessler and signed Sandro Mamukelashvili. They are the only two true big men on the roster. Jaxson Hayes departed in free agency, and Ayton was just sent to the nation’s capital. The Lakers have two open roster spots, and another trade is likely coming.
Luka let his feelings about the Lakers offseason revamp be known, but they aren’t done. LA would love to trade Knecht, but can’t find a taker. That likely means Bronny is gone for a second-round draft pick, so he can continue playing with his father. That helps LA clear their glut of guards and focus on adding a center and a wing to round out their roster.
Bronny James may be done with the Lakers after Deandre Ayton trade
Hardy is more ready for NBA minutes than Bronny at this stage. The 23-year-old just averaged 12.6 points, 1.7 rebounds, and 1.3 assists in 20.4 minutes per game after being traded to the Wizards in the Anthony Davis deal. Hardy is a gunner who played two and a half seasons with Doncic in Dallas. He is a career 38.6 percent 3-point shooter, and adding shooting has been a clear emphasis for LA this offseason.
The Lakers are positioning themselves to make more moves. Jarred Vanderbilt and Dalton Knecht are firmly on the trade block. They have Jake LaRavia’s expiring salary, and Hardy’s $6.0 million with a team option for 2027-28 that could be used to upgrade the roster before the deadline. The Ayton deal gives LA three second-round draft picks plus one first-round pick to swap to trade. They aren’t landing a star, but it could net them a quality piece.
The writing was on the wall for Ayton when the Lakers paid handsomely for Kessler. Ayton has come off the bench just seven times in his first eight NBA seasons. He didn’t want to be the backup big man, so LA quickly moved on.
Bronny James is likely next. The 21-year-old continues to improve, but he is not ready for a nightly role. The Lakers are all-in on building a championship roster around Luka. LeBron wants to continue playing with his son, so the logical move is to trade Bronny to whatever team signs King James for a bit more draft capital.
The Los Angeles Lakers have completely revamped their roster this summer, and they aren’t done yet. A Bronny trade is likely coming as the front office looks to round out their rotation. They need wing help and a reserve big man or two.
The Lakers must keep adding pieces and building out their roster. Trading Ayton was a must, but it created a new hole. Jaden Hardy can replace Bronny in the event the youngster gets traded, but the purple and gold need someone to back up Kessler. The hunt continues.
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