November 5, 2018; Oakland, CA, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Dillon Brooks (24) shoots the basketball against Golden State Warriors guard Damion Lee (1) during the second half at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

If you’re going to make a three-team trade happen, it would seem wise to have all three teams communicate with each other on the deal.

That didn’t happen in three-team trade conversations in the NBA on Friday night, and the deal fell apart as a result.

First, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported that the Washington Wizards were “in advanced talks” to acquire veteran forward Trevor Ariza from the Phoenix Suns.

Wojnarowski followed up with tweets that the Memphis Grizzlies joined the trade, with second-year Memphis guard Dillon Brooks part of the package going to the Suns.

However, then came the news that trade was “in jeopardy over which Brooks” the Suns were getting in the trade. Phoenix believed they were receiving Dillon Brooks from the Grizzlies. But the Grizzlies believed they were giving MarShon Brooks to the Suns.

The confusion reportedly happened because “Memphis and Phoenix didn’t communicate directly on the trade” and “used Washington as a conduit” to get the deal done.

And that confusion killed the deal.

Memphis wouldn’t put Dillon Brooks in the deal and “insist” they said MarShon Brooks all along, even though Washington claims they heard otherwise in the discussions.

Incredible. Now, there would seem to be a decent chance that the Suns and Wizards still work out a deal involving Ariza… but will probably have to work with a different team than the Grizzlies if it’s a three-team deal.

Dillon Brooks was at least able to get a laugh out of the mess.

About Matt Clapp

Matt is an editor at The Comeback. He attended Colorado State University, wishes he was Saved by the Bell's Zack Morris, and idolizes Larry David. And loves pizza and dogs because obviously.

He can be followed on Twitter at @Matt2Clapp (also @TheBlogfines for Cubs/MLB tweets and @DaBearNecess for Bears/NFL tweets), and can be reached by email at mclapp@thecomeback.com.