Credit IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect - Scanpix
The Los Angeles Lakers are expected to explore trading guard Jaden Hardy just three months after acquiring him, according to NBA reporter Jovan Buha.
"Now the funny thing is the Lakers are going to be trying to trade Jaden Hardy," he said on Buha's Block.
Hardy joined Los Angeles in July when the Lakers traded Deandre Ayton to Washington. In return, Los Angeles received Hardy along with second-round picks in 2031 and 2032.
The 24-year-old guard played 57 games between the Dallas Mavericks and Wizards last season, averaging 9.2 points, 1.5 rebounds, and 1.0 assists while shooting 39.7% from the three-point range.
He finished the season with Washington after spending his first three-plus NBA seasons in Dallas.
Could Lakers send Hardy back to Washington?
Buha's comment on Hardy came while he was discussing potential Wizards players who could make sense for Los Angeles.
He noted that Bilal Coulibaly and Justin Champagnie could potentially become attainable during the 2026-27 regular season.
"I think a couple like Champagnie and Coulibaly could be gettable during the season," Buha said. "I would say those are a couple of names, lower-level names. I think more bench-level guys, but [they] could improve the roster."
"I don't know if Washington wants to take him [Hardy] back and what that price would be," Buha said. "Are the Lakers just going to end up sending back the Wizards picks and get Coulibaly or Champagnie instead of Hardy? That would kind of be funny, but I think those are a couple of names that could make some sense."
The scenario was framed as hypothetical rather than an intel-based report.