What’s in a name? NBA trade falls apart after confusion over which ‘Brooks’ would be involved

The Wizards, Suns and Grizzlies, according to multiple reports, agreed to a three-team trade:

Wizards

Suns

Grizzlies

Give: Wayne Selden, Brooks, 2019 second-rounder, 2020 second-rounder
Get: Kelly Oubre

But it was unclear which Brooks – Dillon Brooks or MarShon Brooks – Memphis would send to Phoenix. It was initially reported as Dillon then “corrected” to MarShon. But that correction didn’t provide much clarity.

John Gambadoro of Arizona Sports 98.7:

One more time. It is DEFINITELY Dillon Brooks.

— John Gambadoro (@Gambo987) December 15, 2018

Chris Herrington of The Daily Memphian:

FWIW: Two sources told me it was MarShon, not Dillon, after initial Dillon Brooks report, but then I was told deal was not complete.

— Chris Herrington (@HerringtonNBA) December 15, 2018

Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN:

Sources with @ZachLowe_NBA: Deal in jeopardy over which Brooks — MarShon or Dillon — the Suns believed it was getting in the trade. Memphis will not put Dillon Brooks in the trade, sources said.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) December 15, 2018

Deal’s suddenly in peril. Memphis and Phoenix didn’t communicate directly on trade, using Washington as a conduit in coordinating the 3-team deal, sources tell @ZachLowe_NBA and me. Grizzlies believe they were trading MarShon, but somehow Suns believed it was Dillon.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) December 15, 2018

Tom Haberstroh of NBC Sports:

League source tells me MEM-WAS-PHX trade is dead

— Tom Haberstroh (@tomhaberstroh) December 15, 2018

This is AMAZING. Humans are smarter and more connected than ever before. And a few NBA general managers couldn’t keep their Brooks straight.

Dillon is a 22-year-old with 3-and-D skills and potential to become more of an all-around contributor. MarShon is a ball-dominant 29-year-old who’s generally not efficient enough to justify his high usage.

No wonder Phoenix wanted Dillon. And no wonder Memphis wanted to part with MarShon.

This could leave hurt feelings on all sides. What will Oubre, Ariza, Rivers, Ariza and even the Brooks think now? There’s plenty to clean up after this mess.

Including the tears streaming down my face from the laughter.