After Much Confusion, the Washington Wizards Finally Landed Trevor Ariza
The NBA was in a frenzy yet again last night after a failed three team trade centered around veteran forward Trevor Ariza.
I’ll let Woj break it down for you guys in six acts:
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
As part of a three-team deal nearing completion: Ariza to the Wizards, Kelly Oubre to the Memphis Grizzlies and Austin Rivers and two Grizzlies role players to Suns, league sources tell ESPN. https://t.co/1EmRCHrjOP
— 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
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
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
This is one of the funniest NBA stories EVER. Phoenix having no idea who they were getting back in this trade is the most Suns thing I’ve ever heard. I don’t get how all three teams weren’t on a conference call hashing out the details. I know I’m just some pleb writing blogs on the internet, but doesn’t that seem like it makes sense? Stuff like this is the exact reason why Phoenix, Washington, and Memphis are some of the more inept franchises in sports.
Luckily for the Wizards, they did end up getting their guy:
Phoenix has agreed to a deal to send Trevor Ariza to Washington, league source tells ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) December 15, 2018
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
Now I don’t know why the Wizards felt the need to give up on Kelly Oubre for Trevor Ariza, but what do I know? I guess Oubre’s contract situation is a negative, given the fact that he’s set for restricted free agency this Summer. He’s also been streaky with his production over the course of his three-year career. But my god, the kid is still 23 years old. He needs more opportunities to prove himself. Why would you just give up on a young talent for Trevor Ariza? A trade of this level, in my eyes, is a move made by someone who believes they can win right now. If Washington thinks that they have a realistic chance of winning the Finals this year, they may have some other issues besides scoring.
-Nick Cherico (@CouchGuyCherico)
You love fantasy sports but getting tired of the same thing every year? Stop it. Join ThriveFantasy today where you bet on only the top tier players and gain points based on prop bets. Sign up today using the Couch Guy Sports link NOW & get in on the action. (Must deposit a minimum of $10 upon sign up and ThriveFantasy will match)