On Tuesday, the Washington Wizards completed their trade with the Los Angeles Lakers that landed them Deandre Ayton.
Ayton is coming off a season where he had averages of 12.5 points, 8.0 rebounds and 1.0 blocks per contest while shooting 67.1% from the field in 72 games.
washingtonwizards.com wrote: “The Washington Wizards announced today they acquired center Deandre Ayton from the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for guard Jaden Hardy and two future second-round picks.”
One person to react to the news was Wizards star Trae Young.
He wrote (via his Instagram story): “YESSSSSSSSSSSIRRRRR ! ! ! @deandreaayton… Let’s work!”
Ayton’s response: “It’s Go Time!!!”
(via IG/deandreayton)
Looking At Ayton
Ayton was the first pick in the 2018 NBA Draft after one season of college basketball at Arizona.
He has also spent time with the Phoenix Suns and Portland Trail Blazers.
In 2021, the 27-year-old helped the Suns reach the NBA Finals.
His career averages are 15.8 points, 10.1 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.0 blocks per contest while shooting 59.9% from the field in 470 games.
Looking At Young
Young was the fifth pick in the 2018 NBA Draft after one season of college basketball at Oklahoma.
He had spent the first 7.5 seasons of his career with the Atlanta Hawks.
In that span, Young made four All-Star Games (and helped the franchise reach the 2021 Eastern Conference finals).
His career averages are 25.1 points, 3.4 rebounds, 9.8 assists and 1.0 steals per contest while shooting 43.3% from the field and 35.2% from three-point range in 498 games.
Young was traded to the Wizards during the middle of the 2025-26 season.
He only appeared in five games for the team.
ESPN’s Shams Charania wrote (on June 22): “Trae Young intends to sign a four-year, approximately $212 million deal to stay with the Washington Wizards, with a player option in Year 4, sources tell ESPN. The four-time NBA All-Star declined his $49M player option for a long-term commitment ahead of free agency.”
Looking At The Wizards
The Wizards are coming off a season where they went 17-65, which had them as the 15th seed in the Eastern Conference.
They last made the playoffs in 2021.
NBA Star Trae Young Reacts To Wizards-Lakers Trade