Trevor Ariza began Friday as a member of the Phoenix Suns. He ended Friday as a member of the Phoenix Suns. But for a few brief hours, it looked as though the 15th-year forward was going to be on the move. A deal that would’ve sent him to the Washington Wizards was completed, then fell apart in a fashion unlike we’ve ever seen before in the NBA. Then on Saturday, a deal was finally made sending Ariza to the Wizards with Kelly Oubre and Austin Rivers going to the Suns. We’ll let our reporters tell the tale, as only they can.
9:53 p.m. ET — The Trade
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 initial news of the deal sending Ariza to Washington — one that wouldn’t be able to be officially completed until Saturday, when Ariza becomes eligible to be traded — broke right as the Wizards were wrapping up a 125-118 loss to the Brooklyn Nets. The details of the proposed trade followed relatively quickly.
Deal is expected to include second-round draft compensation too, league sources said. https://t.co/zkGAy2p58u
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) December 15, 2018
Washington, Phoenix and Memphis have agreed in principle on deal that will also include Wayne Selden and Dillon Brooks headed to Suns, and a 2020 Grizzlies second-round pick and a conditional 2019 second-rounder to Washington, league sources tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) December 15, 2018
10:22 p.m. ET — The Twist
Clarification: MarShon Brooks on his way to Suns, not Dillon.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) December 15, 2018
However, as it turned out, it wasn’t the people reporting the trade who were confused over which Brooks was being sent to Phoenix — it was the people MAKING the trade.
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
This is not a joke. Also maybe if someone on the Wiz or Grizz has a Mel Brooks autographed photo that could grease the wheels. https://t.co/0Bw5rlEs8G
— Zach Lowe (@ZachLowe_NBA) December 15, 2018
10:57 p.m. ET — The Jokes
With the trade’s status up in the air, #NBATwitter did what it does best: make jokes about the entire thing.
We are going to have to expand the Hall of Fame Absurdity Wing
— Zach Lowe (@ZachLowe_NBA) December 15, 2018
😂😂😂 I’m actually surprised this doesn’t happen more often in trades https://t.co/Y3xfi6TyMX
— Ramona Shelburne (@ramonashelburne) December 15, 2018
Even Mel Brooks couldn’t have made this up 🤦🏽♂️ pic.twitter.com/5eurlrRnJ3
— Marc J. Spears (@MarcJSpearsESPN) December 15, 2018
We got an all-time NBA moment brewing here. Not seen since the days of Tanguy Ngombo.
— Brian Windhorst (@WindhorstESPN) December 15, 2018
Can we make an Oubre Grizzlies jersey anyway? I mean we have a Melo Hawks jersey
— Zach Lowe (@ZachLowe_NBA) December 15, 2018
Even NBA players got involved, including Grizzlies forward DJ Stephens, who was taken on an emotional roller coaster by the night’s events.
Wizards are trading Austin Rivers and Kelly Oubre to the Suns, league sources tell ESPN. https://t.co/GmbeUXzZT3
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) December 15, 2018
11:06 p.m. ET — The End
Deal’s suddenly in peril. Memphis and Phoenix didn’t communicate directly on trade, using Washington as a conduit in coordinating the 3-team deal, sources tell @ZachLowe_NBA and me. Grizzlies believe they were trading MarShon, but somehow Suns believed it was Dillon.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) December 15, 2018
The deal is dead, league source tells ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) December 15, 2018
11:34 p.m. ET — The Encore
Washington believes it was told Dillon Brooks in conversations with Memphis. The Grizzlies insist they told Washington it was MarShon. One rival GM texted me and said: “Maybe Washington can put Scott Brooks in if there has to be a Brooks in the deal.” Welcome to NBA Trade Season.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) December 15, 2018
😅 #GoGrizz
— Dillon Brooks (@dillonbrooks24) December 15, 2018
Memphis GM Chris Wallace tells ESPN: “Robert Pera did not have any conversation with Suns owner Robert Sarver about the reported 3-way trade. Our front office also didn’t have any conversations with Phoenix regarding the reported 3-team trade prior to it leaking during ..” (cont)
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) December 15, 2018
Wallace continued: “… our game tonight. We were floored to learn of the reports involving Dillon Brooks in the reported trade. We never discussed Dillon as part of this trade with Washington – which was the only team we spoke with concerning this proposed deal.” https://t.co/FAdhKu0Vgx
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) December 15, 2018
Saturday, just before noon ET — For real this time
Wizards are trading Austin Rivers and Kelly Oubre to the Suns, league sources tell ESPN. https://t.co/GmbeUXzZT3
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) December 15, 2018