Trevor Ariza, veteran forward for the Phoenix Suns, was the subject of advanced trade talks in a multi-team trade between the Washington Wizards, Phoenix Suns and Memphis Grizzlies, per ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. The trade would have seen Ariza re-join the Wizards, where he played from 2012 until he was traded to the Houston Rockets in 2014.
The Washington Wizards are in advanced talks on a deal to acquire Phoenix forward Trevor Ariza, league sources tell ESPN. Teams trying to finalize a multi-team trade tonight.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) December 15, 2018
The other components of the multi-team trade, as reported by Wojnarowski, would have seen Kelly Oubre Jr join the Memphis Grizzlies, as well as Austin Rivers, Wayne Selden and an unclarified Memphis player “Brooks” joining the Phoenix Suns, the latter detail of which reportedly caused the agreed-upon trade to fall apart. The deal reportedly also included a conditional 2019 second-round pick and a 2020 second round pick, both from Memphis being moved to Washington.
Arizona Sports’ John Gambadoro then reported Dillon Brooks was the Memphis player being moved to the Phoenix Suns from the Memphis Grizzlies, conflicting reports by Adrian Wojnarowski who initially stated Dillon Brooks was involved in the trade, but clarified the Brooks in question was MarShon Brooks.
The confusion caused by the reports was seemingly no more clear to the public than it was to the teams involved in the trade. The discrepancy between MarShon Brooks and Dillon Brooks reportedly caused the Phoenix Suns to believe they were receiving Dillon Brooks when the Grizzlies were agreeing to trade MarShon Brooks. The Grizzlies then reportedly communicated their unwillingness to trade Dillon Brooks, resulting in the trade falling through.
Sources with @ZachLowe_NBA: Deal in jeopardy over which Brooks — MarShon or Dillon — the Suns believed it was getting in the trade. Memphis will not put Dillon Brooks in the trade, sources said.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) December 15, 2018
The deal is dead, league source tells ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) December 15, 2018
Ariza, who has been the subject of continuous trade speculation, has averaged 9.9 points, 5.6 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game in 26 games for Phoenix this season, and is eligible to be traded beginning Saturday.
