On November 22, 2020, Ariza, the draft rights to Isaiah Stewart, and a conditional future first round pick were traded to the Houston Rockets in exchange for Robert Covington. On November 24, Ariza and Stewart were traded to the Detroit Pistons in exchange for Christian Wood, as part of a sign-and-trade deal. On November 27, Ariza, Justin Jackson, a 2023 second-round pick (from either Dallas or Miami), and a 2026 second-round pick were traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder in a three-team trade involving the Detroit Pistons. Ariza never reported to the Thunder or appeared in any games for them during his stint.