Trevor Ariza gets traded, but not to the Lakers
Reporting from Charlotte, N.C. — Despite talks with the Lakers that continued into last night, the Phoenix Suns agreed Saturday to trade Trevor Ariza to the Washington Wizards for Kelly Oubre Jr. and Austin Rivers, according to sources familiar with the trade discussions.
Ariza, 33, had significant interest in rejoining the Lakers, a team with which he played from 2007 to 2009. He has family in Los Angeles, grew up there and went to UCLA. Ariza also played with Lakers coach Luke Walton.
Ariza let the Suns know that the Lakers were his preferred destination, and the teams tried to work out a deal.
Ultimately, the Lakers were unwilling to part with any of their young players to create a package that could compete with what Washington sent to Phoenix.
Ariza played for the Wizards previously, from 2012 to 2014, and sources said he appreciates the value they placed on him by offering Oubre and Rivers.
The Wizards are taking on Ariza’s one-year deal that is worth $15 million. He will be a free agent this summer, at which time he could return to the Lakers.
The trade culminated the Wizards’ second attempt in 24 hours to acquire Ariza. On Friday night they thought they had completed a deal that involved the Memphis Grizzlies. That deal would have sent Oubre and Rivers to Memphis while Memphis sent two players and a second-round pick to Phoenix. One of those players was Wayne Selden Jr.
But a misunderstanding over the identity of the second player killed the deal. Memphis thought it was sending MarShon Brooks while Phoenix though it was receiving Dillon Brooks.
Follow Tania Ganguli on Twitter @taniaganguli
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