WASHINGTON (AP) — The Wizards have completed a trade to acquire forward Trevor Ariza from the Phoenix Suns for forward Kelly Oubre Jr. and guard Austin Rivers.Washington general manager Ernie Grunfeld announced the deal Monday after it was agreed to in principle over the weekend. Grunfeld called Ariza "one of the most effective, efficient and versatile players at his position for over a decade."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.Oubre, 23, goes to the Suns in the middle of his fourth NBA season after the Wizards selected him 15th overall in the 2015 draft. Rivers, 26, will be on his third time in two seasons after a trade from the Los Angeles Clippers to Washington in the summer.Grunfeld says the Wizards commend Oubre on his growth and development and appreciate Rivers' contributions during his brief time with them.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

WASHINGTON (AP) — After a three-way trade fell apart over mistaken identity, the Wizards are getting Trevor Ariza after all.Washington agreed in principle Saturday 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 because it had not been announced by either team.This Ariza trade came together hours after a potential three-way deal involving the Grizzlies fell apart late Friday night over whether Memphis was including Dillon Brooks or MarShon Brooks. The saga included general managers informing players they'd been traded, awkward conversations to explain they weren't and finally the talks coming to an end.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... [More]

WASHINGTON (AP) — After a three-way trade fell apart over mistaken identity, the Wizards are getting Trevor Ariza after all.Washington agreed in principle Saturday 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 because it had not been announced by either team.This Ariza trade came together hours after a potential three-way deal involving the Grizzlies fell apart late Friday night over whether Memphis was including Dillon Brooks or MarShon Brooks. The saga included general managers informing players they'd been traded, awkward conversations to explain they weren't and finally the talks coming to an end.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... [More]

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 potential 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... [More]

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... [More]

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Washington Wizards have an agreement in principle to acquire Trevor Ariza from the Phoenix Suns for Kelly Oubre Jr. and Austin Rivers, a person familiar with the deal said Saturday.The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because it had not been announced by either team.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.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.The Wizards landed Ariza directly from the Suns after a reported three-way trade involving the Memphis Grizzlies... [More]

WASHINGTON (AP) — A person familiar with the deal says the Washington Wizards have an agreement in principle to acquire Trevor Ariza from the Phoenix Suns for Kelly Oubre Jr. and Austin Rivers.The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Saturday because it had not been announced by either team.The Wizards landed Ariza directly from the Suns after a reported three-way trade involving the Memphis Grizzlies fell apart late Saturday night. Rivers was not aware of the details after a loss at Brooklyn but believed he was departing the team that had just acquired him from the Clippers over the summer.To get the 33-year-old Ariza, Washington gave up the 26-year-old Rivers and the 23-year-old Oubre, who was the 15th overall pick in 2015 and averaging 12.9 points a game in his fourth NBA season. Ariza's contract expires after this season.___AP Sports Writer Howard Fendrich and AP Basketball Writer Brian Mahoney contributed.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

WASHINGTON (AP) — Seemed fairly clear that Marcin Gortat and the Washington Wizards were ready to part ways. Now they will.The Wizards traded Gortat, their starting center, to the Los Angeles Clippers for guard Austin Rivers on Tuesday night. Both players are entering the final season of their contracts and are set to earn similar salaries, making a straight-up exchange work under NBA rules.The 34-year-old Gortat is a durable, screen-setting big man who has played 12 years in the league, the past five with Washington. He averaged 8.4 points and 7.6 rebounds last season, his lowest numbers since 2009-10, when he was with the Orlando Magic, but could fill a need in Los Angeles if DeAndre Jordan departs.After the Wizards finished eighth in the Eastern Conference and lost in the first round of the playoffs to No. 1 seed Toronto, Gortat was adamant that he had no interest in changing his style of play at this late stage of his career.Asked about the possibility of working on his outside shot,... [More]

WASHINGTON (AP) — Seemed fairly clear that Marcin Gortat and the Washington Wizards were ready to part ways. Now they will.The Wizards have agreed to trade Gortat, their starting center, to the Los Angeles Clippers for guard Austin Rivers, according to a person familiar with the deal.The 1-for-1 swap was described to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity on Tuesday night because neither team had announced the move. Both players are entering the final season of their contracts and are set to earn similar salaries, making a straight-up exchange work under NBA rules.The 34-year-old Gortat is a durable, screen-setting big man who has played 12 years in the league, the past five with Washington. He averaged 8.4 points and 7.6 rebounds last season, his lowest numbers since 2009-10, when he was with the Orlando Magic, but could fill a need in Los Angeles if DeAndre Jordan departs.After the Wizards finished eighth in the Eastern Conference and lost in the first round of the playoffs to... [More]

WASHINGTON (AP) — A person familiar with the deal says that the Washington Wizards have agreed to trade center Marcin Gortat to the Los Angeles Clippers for guard Austin Rivers.The 1-for-1 deal was described to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity on Tuesday because neither team had announced the swap.Both players are entering the final season of their contracts.The 34-year-old Gortat is a durable, screen-setting big man who has played 12 years in the NBA, the past five with Washington. He averaged 8.4 points and 7.6 rebounds last season, his lowest numbers since 2009-10, when he was with the Orlando Magic. The Wizards finished eighth in the Eastern Conference and lost in the first round of the playoffs to No. 1 seed Toronto.Rivers, who turns 26 in August, averaged a career-best 15.1 points and four assists last season while playing for his father, Doc, the Clippers' coach.The deal was first reported by ESPN.___More AP NBA coverage: https://apnews.com/tag/NBAbasketball

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jerome Robinson were introduced in Los Angeles on Monday as the newest Clippers guards. The duo, selected in the NBA draft last week, won't be under the bright spotlight just yet.That's reserved for center DeAndre Jordan.This is the final week before the NBA's free agency period begins Sunday, and the biggest question mark for the Clippers is whether center Jordan will opt in or out of his contract."I talk to him," coach Doc Rivers said. "We pretty much stay away from the subject for the most part. But I talk to him. We stay in touch."Lawrence Frank, executive vice president of basketball operations, wasn't sure what Jordan would decide about his $24.1 million player option."No new updates. We continue to have dialogue with his agent, Jeff Schwartz," Frank said. "We'll see how everything plays out."Guard Milos Teodosic has exercised his $6.3 million option with the Clippers. Frank visited him in Belgrade, Serbia, last month."We'll see how everything... [More]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jerome Robinson were introduced in Los Angeles on Monday as the newest Clippers guards. The duo, selected in the NBA draft last week, won't be under the bright spotlight just yet.That's reserved for center DeAndre Jordan.This is the final week before the NBA's free agency period begins Sunday, and the biggest question mark for the Clippers is whether center Jordan will opt in or out of his contract."I talk to him," coach Doc Rivers said. "We pretty much stay away from the subject for the most part. But I talk to him. We stay in touch."Lawrence Frank, executive vice president of basketball operations, wasn't sure what Jordan would decide about his $24.1 million player option."No new updates. We continue to have dialogue with his agent, Jeff Schwartz," Frank said. "We'll see how everything plays out."Guard Milos Teodosic has exercised his $6.3 million option with the Clippers. Frank visited him in Belgrade, Serbia, last month."We'll see how everything... [More]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Clippers are finally out of their misery, a long season marred by significant injuries coming to an end just short of the playoffs.They finished with a winning record of 42-40, but their streak of consecutive postseason appearances ended at six. They closed out the season Wednesday night with a 115-100 loss to the Lakers, dropping their last four games in a row.They kept their playoff hopes alive until the final week of the regular season despite the injuries. Eleven players missed a total of 265 games.Coach Doc Rivers started an NBA-leading 37 different lineups because of the injuries. The Clippers were forced to dip into the G League for starters, most notably C.J. Williams (who was signed to a multi-year deal) and Tyrone Wallace.The season began with nine new players on the roster after the offseason departures of Chris Paul, J.J. Redick and Jamal Crawford.But injuries soon befell the newcomers. Point guard Patrick Beverley was lost for the season after right knee... [More]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Suddenly, the Big Three is down to one. With star guard Chris Paul in Houston and face-of-the-franchise Blake Griffin traded to the Detroit Pistons, only DeAndre Jordan is left from the power trio that propelled the Los Angeles Clippers to relevance.Jordan becomes a free agent this summer and could be gone, too, if he isn't traded by the Feb. 8 deadline. Lou Williams, leading the NBA in scoring off the bench with 22.2 points per game in his 13th season, might be trade bait, too.Griffin's stunning departure on Monday — seven months after he signed a $171 million, five-year contract — has paved the way for the Clippers to have plenty of salary-cap room next season, putting them in position to snag a big-name free agent."With the future flexibility comes great opportunity," said Lawrence Frank, executive vice president of basketball operations. "It's going to be an exciting time, not just presently but also going forward."The once-beleaguered franchise has never lured a... [More]

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. (AP) — The Detroit Pistons dramatically shook their struggling roster by acquiring one of the NBA's top players in Blake Griffin in a trade with the Los Angeles Clippers.The deal for the five-time All-Star forward was announced early Tuesday, giving Detroit a player who has been the face of the Clippers but whose career has been undercut by injuries.Detroit sent forward Tobias Harris, guard Avery Bradley and center Boban Marjanovic to Los Angeles, with the Clippers also receiving draft picks. Detroit also acquired forward Brice Johnson and center Willie Reed."We are serious about winning, and this is a major move to improve our team," Pistons owner Tom Gores said in a statement. "Blake Griffin is one of the NBA's elite players, and when you get an opportunity to add that kind of talent, you take it."For the Clippers, moving Griffin is another step in a makeover of a franchise that has never made it past the second round of the playoffs.Griffin was not expected to play... [More]

The Detroit Pistons dramatically shook their struggling roster by acquiring one of the NBA's top players in Blake Griffin in a trade with the Los Angeles Clippers.The deal for the five-time All-Star forward was announced early Tuesday, giving Detroit a player who has been the face of the Clippers but whose career has been undercut by injuries.Detroit sent forward Tobias Harris, guard Avery Bradley and center Boban Marjanovic to Los Angeles, with the Clippers also receiving draft picks. Detroit also acquired forward Brice Johnson and center Willie Reed."We are serious about winning, and this is a major move to improve our team," Pistons owner Tom Gores said in a statement. "Blake Griffin is one of the NBA's elite players, and when you get an opportunity to add that kind of talent, you take it."The Pistons did not yet say if Griffin would be available for Tuesday night's home game against Cleveland.The 28-year-old Griffin is averaging 22.6 points, 7.9 rebounds and 5.4 assists in 33 games... [More]

The Detroit Pistons dramatically shook their struggling roster, acquiring five-time All-Star forward Blake Griffin in a trade with the Los Angeles Clippers.The Pistons announced the deal for the face of the Clippers early Tuesday. Detroit sent forward Tobias Harris, guard Avery Bradley and center Boban Marjanovic to Los Angeles, with the Clippers also receiving draft picks. Detroit also acquired forward Brice Johnson and center Willie Reed."We are serious about winning, and this is a major move to improve our team," Pistons owner Tom Gores said in a statement. "Blake Griffin is one of the NBA's elite players, and when you get an opportunity to add that kind of talent, you take it."The 28-year-old Griffin is averaging 22.6 points, 7.9 rebounds and 5.4 assists in 33 games this season, but the Clippers have been plagued by injuries and are ninth in the Western Conference standings.Detroit is scuffling as well. The Pistons have lost eight straight heading into Tuesday night's game against Cleveland.Last... [More]

The Detroit Pistons shook up their struggling roster in dramatic fashion, acquiring star forward Blake Griffin in a trade with the Los Angeles Clippers.The Pistons announced the deal early Tuesday morning. Detroit sent forward Tobias Harris, guard Avery Bradley and center Boban Marjanovic to Los Angeles, with the Clippers also receiving draft picks. Detroit also acquired forward Brice Johnson and center Willie Reed in the deal."We are serious about winning, and this is a major move to improve our team," Pistons owner Tom Gores said in a statement. "Blake Griffin is one of the NBA's elite players, and when you get an opportunity to add that kind of talent, you take it."Griffin is averaging 22.6 points, 7.9 rebounds and 5.4 assists in 33 games this season, but the Clippers have been plagued by injuries and are ninth in the Western Conference standings.Detroit is scuffling as well. The Pistons have lost eight straight heading into Tuesday night's game against Cleveland.The 28-year-old Griffin... [More]

DETROIT (AP) — The Detroit Pistons were finalizing a trade Monday night to acquire star forward Blake Griffin from the Los Angeles Clippers, according to a person with knowledge of the deal.The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the trade had not been announced. The Pistons would send forward Tobias Harris, guard Avery Bradley and center Boban Marjanovic to Los Angeles, with the Clippers also receiving draft picks. Detroit also would receive forward Brice Johnson and center Willie Reed.ESPN first reported the deal .Griffin is averaging 22.6 points, 7.9 rebounds and 5.4 assists in 33 games this season, but the Clippers have been plagued by injuries and are ninth in the Western Conference standings.Detroit is struggling as well. The Pistons have lost eight straight heading into Tuesday night's game against Cleveland.The 28-year-old Griffin has been the face of the Clippers while playing his entire career with the team. Last July, he agreed to a $171 million, five-year deal, ending... [More]

G Austin Rivers finished with a career-high 38. He combined with Lou Williams (36 points) as the first duo to score at least 35 points apiece against Memphis since Washington's Gilbert Arenas (36 points) and Antawn Jamison (35) did it in February 2006 at FedExForum.Rivers hit on 14 of 20 shots from the floor and 5 of 8 from behind the arc.