Suns, newly acquired guard Austin Rivers part ways

Dec 17, 2018, 9:32 PM | Updated: Dec 18, 2018, 3:06 pm

Washington Wizards guard Austin Rivers drives around Miami Heat guard Wayne Ellington (2) during the second half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, Nov. 10, 2018, in Miami. The Wizards defeated the Heat 116-110. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)

(AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)

BY KELLAN OLSON

Suns reporter, ArizonaSports.com editor

The Phoenix Suns parted ways with newly acquired guard Austin Rivers on Tuesday.

Rivers, 26, was traded by the Washington Wizards along with wing Kelly Oubre Jr. in exchange for former Suns forward Trevor Ariza.

Rivers was originally coming to the Suns in a three-team trade also involving Oubre and Ariza on Friday that fell apart due to a misunderstanding between the Suns and Memphis Grizzlies. Rivers, plus Memphis’ Wayne Selden and either MarShon or Dillon Brooks — the first name of which Brooks was misunderstood by the two teams — were set to join Phoenix in the original deal. Oubre was proposed to the Grizzlies, while Ariza was expected to be sent to Washington in the dead deal.

The next morning, the Wizards and Suns agreed to the deal that was finalized on Monday.

After a win over the New York Knicks on Monday, the Suns have won three games in a row for the first time in nearly two years. The team is 3-3 since rookie point guard De’Anthony Melton entered the starting lineup and 2-0 since guard Devin Booker’s return on Saturday.

Rivers is averaging 7.2 points, 2.4 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game.

Oubre is with the team in Boston before its game on Wednesday against the Celtics.

Follow @KellanOlson

Phoenix Suns' Devin Booker (1) drives past New York Knicks' Noah Vonleh during the first half of an NBA basketball game Monday, Dec. 17, 2018, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

Phoenix Suns head coach Igor Kokoskov, right, talks to Phoenix Suns' De'Anthony Melton (14) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Monday, Dec. 17, 2018, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

Phoenix Suns' Deandre Ayton (22) shoots over New York Knicks' Enes Kanter (00) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Monday, Dec. 17, 2018, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

Phoenix Suns head coach Igor Kokoskov reacts during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the New York Knicks, Monday, Dec. 17, 2018, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

Phoenix Suns' Austin Rivers (1) drives past New York Knicks' Emmanuel Mudiay (1) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Monday, Dec. 17, 2018, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

Phoenix Suns' Mikal Bridges (25) dunks during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the New York Knicks, Monday, Dec. 17, 2018, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

Phoenix Suns' Austin Rivers (1) shoots over New York Knicks' Enes Kanter (00) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Monday, Dec. 17, 2018, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

New York Knicks head coach David Fizdale, right, reacts to a call during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Phoenix Suns, Monday, Dec. 17, 2018, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

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