Trevor Ariza has not been part of Oklahoma City Thunder training camp, according to the Oklahoman’s Joe Mussatto.
The forward was acquired from the Detroit Pistons in a three-team deal that also included the Dallas Mavericks.
A team spokesperson told The Oklahoman that the Thunder were “made aware” Ariza would not be available when the trade was made.
“Ariza remains focused on the same family matters that kept him from attending the bubble with the Blazers,” the spokesperson said.
“The Thunder was made aware he would not be available when they acquired him, and remain supportive of Ariza’s indefinite absence given the circumstance.”
Oklahoma City completed the trade anyway to receive the rest of the assets. The team flipped James Johnson for Ariza, Justin Jackson, a 2023 second-round draft pick that will be the best of either Dallas or Miami and a 2026 second-round Dallas pick.
Ariza is involved in a child custody case, according to ESPN. He opted out of playing in the bubble for the Portland Trail Blazers in favor of having a one-month visitation with his son.
Despite his indefinite absence, Ariza is on the Thunder’s training camp roster.
The wing has bounced around the league since his 2014-2018 stint with the Houston Rockets. Ariza signed a one-year deal with the Phoenix Suns in 2018 with an organizational hope that he would be a veteran leader and help them reach the playoffs, but he was traded midseason to the Washington Wizards.
He signed a two-year contract with the Sacramento Kings that offseason and was traded in the middle of the year to the Blazers.
This offseason, the Blazers traded Ariza to Rockets, who traded him to the Pistons, who traded him to the Thunder.
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