The Los Angeles Lakers were one of the most active teams in the NBA this offseason, turning over nearly their entire roster that reached the second round of the playoffs last season. Lost in a myriad of massive, roster-shaping moves was a smaller deal that sent Deandre Ayton to the Washington Wizards in exchange for Jaden Hardy and two second-round picks.
This move came with some question marks at the time of the transaction. Many assumed Ayton would act as the backup to Walker Kessler after he picked up his player option for the 2026-27 season. Instead, L.A. dealt him for a player in Hardy that may or may not even play a role on this year’s team. However, an anonymous executive actually liked the move for the Lakers and the organization itself was happy to get back some much-needed draft capital, according to Dan Woike of The Athletic:
I ran this by a rival NBA executive, who spoke under condition of anonymity so they could speak freely about another team’s roster, who felt this was too far down the list. On the surface, the move was a big win for a Lakers team that was looking for outs after Ayton picked up his player option. Whether or not Hardy matters this season, the draft capital brought in was a pleasant surprise for the Lakers’ front office.
It’s refreshing to see anonymous executives be positive about a Lakers move, as these stories are typically ways to speak negatively about what a team accomplished. The Hardy trade, in particular, is one that has aged better as the offseason has gone on, regardless of what his role might end up being.
Ayton is not the type of player that a team typically wants as a low-minute backup, and Hardy — with two second-round picks — gives the Lakers some flexibility to make future moves, more than they would have had with Ayton and two fewer picks.
Byron Scott says Lakers had overrated offseason
Former Lakers head coach Byron Scott joined the masses in disparaging L.A.’s offseason, saying that it was the most overrated in the league.
“The Lakers. The team that you said was going to win 58 games. I think they had the most overrated offseason,” Scott said on the Fast Break podcast. “I’m just keeping it real. I’m purple and gold down to the core. But, I mean, everybody was talking about all these great (additions) — no, I just don’t see it yet.”
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