Lakers Reportedly Viewed Getting Draft Capital Back For Deandre Ayton As ‘Pleasant Surprise’

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 p