Name that Brooks: MarShon? Dillon? If you asked the Memphis Grizzlies and Phoenix Suns on Friday night, they would probably have completely different answers. This is why a three-team trade with the Washington Wizards fell apart after being announced, as the Suns believed they were getting Dillon Brooks, not MarShon Brooks, who was announced. This trade was suppose to send Trevor Ariza to Washington, but that was put on hold for about 12 hours. The Suns and Wizards made the trade happen without Memphis, as Ariza was dealt to the Wizards on Saturday morning for Kelly Oubre Jr. and Austin Rivers.
The trade is not officially finalized, but a call is set for later in the day, and unless there are any other Arizas, Oubres, or Rivers, it should be good. The veteran Ariza signed a one-year, $15 million deal with the Suns in the off-season, but their tough 5-23 start has them selling early as the only team in the Western Conference seemingly out of the playoff conversation.
Ariza officially became trade eligible last Saturday, as the Suns have been looking to deal him to more of a contender, with the Los Angeles Lakers originally being in the conversation. Ariza started his career with Los Angeles, but that deal could not get done earlier in the week. The 33-year-old was given permission on Friday night to go to his home L.A. to prepare to join the Wizards, but his stay there lasted a bit longer than expected with the confusion surrounding this deal.
The Suns' issues to make a deal with the Lakers had to do with the criticism Suns owner Robert Sarver received after allowing Tyson Chandler to join the Lakers on a contract buyout last month. After a tough start to their season, Washington has been playing better basketball of late, now within 2.5 games of the final playoff spot in the East. The one surprise from their end was getting rid of Oubre, but they did not believe they were going to be able to re-sign him after this season.
The trade is not officially finalized, but a call is set for later in the day, and unless there are any other Arizas, Oubres, or Rivers, it should be good. The veteran Ariza signed a one-year, $15 million deal with the Suns in the off-season, but their tough 5-23 start has them selling early as the only team in the Western Conference seemingly out of the playoff conversation.
Ariza officially became trade eligible last Saturday, as the Suns have been looking to deal him to more of a contender, with the Los Angeles Lakers originally being in the conversation. Ariza started his career with Los Angeles, but that deal could not get done earlier in the week. The 33-year-old was given permission on Friday night to go to his home L.A. to prepare to join the Wizards, but his stay there lasted a bit longer than expected with the confusion surrounding this deal.
The Suns' issues to make a deal with the Lakers had to do with the criticism Suns owner Robert Sarver received after allowing Tyson Chandler to join the Lakers on a contract buyout last month. After a tough start to their season, Washington has been playing better basketball of late, now within 2.5 games of the final playoff spot in the East. The one surprise from their end was getting rid of Oubre, but they did not believe they were going to be able to re-sign him after this season.
