WASHINGTON (AP) The Wizards are getting Trevor Ariza after all.
Washington agreed in principle to acquire Ariza from the Phoenix Suns for Kelly Oubre Jr. and Austin Rivers, according to a person familiar with the deal. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Saturday because it had not been announced by either team.
This Ariza trade came together hours after a reported three-way deal involving the Memphis Grizzlies fell apart late Friday night. Wizards players went through the emotional roller coaster of the failed trade after their loss at Brooklyn as Oubre and Rivers were still on the team bus to the airport and the flight home.
”We all understand it’s a business,” guard John Wall said after practice Saturday. ”You never know what’s going to happen, when it’s going to happen. The first time I’ve ever seen a trade go dead and guys are on a bus talking about it. Kind of devastating for those guys.”
Ariza, 33, returns to Washington, where he played the 2012-13 and 2013-14 seasons. The 6-foot-8, 215-pound swingman is averaging 9.9 points, 5.6 rebounds and 3.3 assists in 26 games with the Suns this season, the last remaining on his contract.
Wall and Bradley Beal said they’ve each texted with Ariza since word of the trade got out.
”It’s always great to add a guy like Trevor back – one of the best veterans and teammates I had in the past,” Wall said. ”We know what he brings to the table, and it seems like he’s excited to be here.”
To get Ariza, the Wizards gave up the 23-year-old Oubre, who they wouldn’t part with in a potential trade for Jimmy Butler earlier this fall. Oubre was the 15th overall pick in 2015 and is averaging 12.9 points per game in his fourth NBA season.
Rivers goes to Phoenix after Washington had just acquired the 26-year-old from the Los Angeles Clippers over the summer. Rivers was not aware of the details Friday night but believed he was departing, putting him and Oubre in an awkward spot.
”It’s kind of unreal in a way,” Beal said. ”You don’t see that a lot. I kind of feel for Kelly and Austin to be put in that trick bag in a way of not knowing. … I think they handled it well, like professionals. I think anybody else would have been a little more frustrated.”
Coach Scott Brooks said he could not comment on the trade because it was not yet official.
The Wizards host LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday.
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AP Sports Writer Howard Fendrich and AP Basketball Writer Brian Mahoney contributed.
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More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP-Sports
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