The Phoenix Suns have enjoyed a recent good run of success since trading away veteran swingman Trevor Ariza to the Washington Wizards, extending their win streak to four games in a row, a season high.

The new Wizards wing joked in good jest that the team was only one change away from going on the right course:

“All they had to do was get rid of me” joked Ariza, according to Gina Mizell of The Athletic. “That group of young players growing together is gonna be something special… I’m happy for them. I’m happy to see them grow, happy to see them clicking and being on the same page.”

Ariza was still a member of the Suns when the team started the four-game run (currently tied with the Denver Nuggets for the best winning streak in the West), but was traded shortly after after a three-team trade failed and then was reincarnated as a straight swap between the Suns and Wizards.

His comments come shortly after he low-key dissed his former team, saying he couldn't be coming from a worst situation (Suns had a league-worst 5-24 record before he departed).

The Suns have since won three more games and escaped the NBA's cellar after getting star shooting guard Devin Booker back in the lineup and making the most of an early plug of rookie De'Anthony Melton and new acquisition Kelly Oubre Jr.

Sounds like Ariza spoke too soon this time around.