EMPIRE OF THE SUNS

A timeline of the Brooks-broken Suns, Grizzlies and Wizards trade

Dec 15, 2018, 6:05 PM | Updated: 10:56 pm

Memphis Grizzlies guard Dillon Brooks (24) in the second half during an NBA basketball game against...

Memphis Grizzlies guard Dillon Brooks (24) in the second half during an NBA basketball game against the Phoenix Suns, Sunday, Nov. 4, 2018, in Phoenix. The Suns defeated the Grizzlies 102-100. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

(AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

It will forever be known as a tale of two men named Brooks.

The Phoenix Suns thought they had agreed upon a three-team trade by shipping Trevor Ariza to Washington and receiving Wizards guard Austin Rivers, plus the Memphis Grizzlies’ Wayne Selden and Dillon Brooks. But the Grizzlies had thought they were dealing Selden and MarShon Brooks to the Suns.

Memphis was expected to receive Wizards wing Kelly Oubre, and the Wizards and Grizzlies were also exchanging draft compensation.

But the miscommunication about which player with the surname of Brooks was to be included led to no trade. The damage, however, was done through a two-hour series of front office leaks to a variety of reporters on Friday night.

The Suns and Wizards followed up the dead deal Saturday morning, agreeing to trade Ariza for Oubre and Rivers straight up, confirmed 98.7 FM Arizona’s Sports Station’s John Gambadoro. That trade reportedly will become official Monday.

But let’s take a look back on the outflow of information with a Twitter retrospective of how reporters, it appears, ended up informing the Suns and Grizzlies of their misunderstanding.

Here is a timeline of Friday’s non-trade that will live in infamy with annotations and notes.

7:53 p.m. Friday

8:09 p.m.

Imagine here that Wojnarowski is attempting to clarify with sources which Brooks is involved in the trade.

8:11 p.m.

Meanwhile, The Athletic’s Fred Katz is with Washington reporters in the Wizards’ locker room after a loss.

In the moment, this appears to be a solid move for Ariza, as the Suns would get back Rivers, who can act as a starting point guard to take pressure off Devin Booker.

While that is a stop-gap option at point guard, the real win was Dillon Brooks, who is a solid second-year pro with a $1.6 million non-guaranteed option on his contract in 2019-20 before he hits restricted free agency.

8:21 p.m.

Uh, oh. Just guessing here, but it appears that Wojnarowski did more than just assume the wrong Brooks. Perhaps different sources gave him different answers?

8:31 p.m.

8:41 p.m.

Red flags go off when two reporters with sources in different cities double-check to make sure they didn’t misunderstand.

8:53 p.m.

9:06 p.m.

9:13 p.m.

9:20 p.m.

Checking in on Washington!

9:34 p.m.

9:51 p.m.

Read further, and you’ll find the Washington Post’s Candance Buckner, who reports on the Wizards, also had sources telling her that Memphis and Phoenix discussed Dillon Brooks before the three-team talks.

Meanwhile, Dillon finds this all as nerve-wracking.

10:19 p.m.

Oh?

10:20 p.m.

And another one:

10:48 p.m.

Damage control incoming.

It should be pointed out that Wallace’s statement to ESPN did not say the Suns and Grizzlies did not discuss Dillon Brooks at all. It said the teams’ owners did not speak about the reported three-way trade — again, because Washington ran point on the deal.

The teams could have discussed Brooks, who is out with a knee injury, as a individual entity before the three-team trade started formulating.

The Grizzlies’ team website later spoke with GM Chris Wallace, who again denied the reports of speaking about Dillon Brooks with Phoenix.

9:43 a.m. Saturday

Hey, a real trade. Probably.

Empire of the Suns

Damian Lillard #0 of the Milwaukee Bucks dribbles the ball against Grayson Allen #8 of the Phoenix ...

Kellan Olson

Suns’ shocking lack of urgency continues in loss to Bucks without Giannis

The Phoenix Suns are playing like they have been afforded the luxury of time. But they are just about to run out of it.

1 day ago

Tre Mann #23 of the Charlotte Hornets guards Devin Booker #1 of the Phoenix Suns in the first quart...

Kellan Olson

Phoenix Suns do enough through slog to beat Charlotte Hornets

The Phoenix Suns had an uninspiring three quarters and did enough in the other to get a win over the Charlotte Hornets.

3 days ago

Derrick White #9 of the Boston Celtics defends Bradley Beal #3 of the Phoenix Suns  during the seco...

Kellan Olson

Suns unable to reach Boston Celtics’ heights again in road loss

The Phoenix Suns more or less matched the Boston Celtics before the game slipped away in the second half.

4 days ago

Bradley Beal #3 of the Phoenix Suns shoots against Sam Merrill #5 of the Cleveland Cavaliers during...

Kellan Olson

Suns respond to poor start, hit usual 4th-quarter slog in win vs. depleted Cavs

Monday was a tremendous opportunity for the Phoenix Suns, one they took advantage of to get a win but not without some trouble.

7 days ago

Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal...

Kellan Olson

Phoenix Suns’ hand forced by Boston Celtics in home loss

The Suns were outclassed by the Celtics that in the grand scheme of things didn't have a ton to do with a talent disparity between the two.

9 days ago

Jaylen Brown #7 of the Boston Celtics and Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics react after a win o...

Kellan Olson

Phoenix Suns face pair of top tests vs. ‘elite of the elite’ Boston Celtics

The Phoenix Suns will be put to the test in a pair of games against the Boston Celtics, the best team in the NBA.

10 days ago

A timeline of the Brooks-broken Suns, Grizzlies and Wizards trade