The Washington Wizards, Memphis Grizzlies and Phoenix Suns had agreed in principle on a three-team trade that was headlined by sending Trevor Ariza to Washington and Kelly Oubre Jr. to Phoenix, but the deal ultimately fell through because the Suns thought they were receiving Dillon Brooks, not MarShon Brooks.
Once Memphis cleared it up that they were offering MarShon instead of Dillon, the deal was called off, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski and Zach Lowe.
The deal is dead, league source tells ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) December 15, 2018
Memphis, Phoenix finally talked directly — realized there was confusion on which Brooks was in deal — and Memphis refuses to include MarShon over Dillon, league source tells ESPN. Grizzlies are out, so Suns/Wizards would need to do a deal directly or find a new 3rd team. https://t.co/YRcCOHJqUO
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) December 15, 2018
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
Wojnarowski had tweeted earlier in the evening that the deal was in “advanced talks.” According to his report, the Grizzlies and Suns didn’t communicate directly, rather letting the Wizards facilitate the deal on both ends.
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
Phoenix and Washington are apparently still trying to negotiate a trade centered on Ariza :
Washington and Phoenix are still talking tonight — trying to find a way to negotiate a new trade centered on Trevor Ariza, league sources tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) December 15, 2018
Several NBA players, including Dillon Brooks, reacted to the confusing mess on Twitter:
😅 #GoGrizz
— Dillon Brooks (@dillonbrooks24) December 15, 2018
You can’t make this up 😂 #BrooksChronicles
— Karl-Anthony Towns (@KarlTowns) December 15, 2018
Bruhhh what?? https://t.co/U7kyBBeDRI
— Donovan Mitchell (@spidadmitchell) December 15, 2018
😩😩😩😩 https://t.co/3X1yN3o1jP
— Jared Dudley (@JaredDudley619) December 15, 2018
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