15 People who turned their backs on the Phoenix Suns

11. Trevor Ariza

The Suns had just drafted Deandre Ayton number one overall and wanted to improve their roster around him. Igor Kokoshov took over as head coach, and Phoenix believed they could make a leap. The Suns signed Ariza to a one-year $15 million contract. He helped the Lakers win a championship in 2009 and was a strong 3-and-D wing. Sadly, his tenure in the Valley of the Sun lasted less than six months.

He was traded to Washington in December 2018 for Kelly Oubre and Austin Rivers. The time came quickly. The veteran was no longer engaged in Phoenix and both sides agreed it was time to move on. Ariza wanted to win, and the young Suns needed more from their starting wing. He played just 29 forgettable games in Phoenix.

To further show how crazy things were for the Suns, they agreed to a trade and nixed it after confusion over whether Dillon or MarShon Brooks was involved before eventually sending Ariza to the nation’s capital.

The 6’8 wing quit on the team, but things only got worse after his departure. Phoenix won just 19 games, which was their lowest win total since their inaugural season in 1969. Ariza lasted just 43 games in Washington and played for six different teams in his last four NBA seasons.