Why The Lakers Traded Deandre Ayton Instead Of Keeping Him As Walker Kessler’s Backup

The Los Angeles Lakers traded center Deandre Ayton to the Washington Wizards after acquiring starter Walker Kessler because the opportunity to recover draft picks and move on from managing Ayton's personality was deemed too valuable to pass up, according to The Athletic’s Dan Woike. In the deal, the Lakers sent Ayton to Washington in exchange for guard Jaden Hardy and two future second-round picks in 2031 and 2032.

Following the trade, the Lakers signed veteran center Kevon Looney to a one-year, $3.9 million contract to serve as Kessler's primary backup. However, Looney's preseason struggles have sparked frontcourt depth concerns, prompting the Lakers to reportedly hold trade discussions with the Milwaukee Bucks regarding a deal centered around Dalton Knecht and Jericho Sims.