Things are heating up in Phoenix after the Mercury acquired 5-time All-Star forward Alyssa Thomas in a trade with the Connecticut Sun, per reports.
The Sun gave Thomas the core designation earlier in January, meaning the only way for Thomas to be moved was via a sign-and-trade
It’s the end of an era for Connecticut Sun forward Alyssa Thomas. Per ESPN ‘s Alexa Philippou, the Phoenix Mercury are reportedly acquiring the 11-year veteran via the second blockbuster WNBA trade in less than a week.
Amid a flurry of trades across the WNBA, the Indiana Fever re-signed All-Star guard Kelsey Mitchell to a one-year supermax contract worth around $249,000. Sometimes an evaluation doesn’t need to be overcomplicated. Fever executives entered this offseason with the top priority of re-signing two-time All-Star Kelsey Mitchell. Mission accomplished.
The WNBA offseason continues to heat up! Just two days after the blockbuster Jewell Loyd-Kelsey Plum deal, another All-Star is on the move. The Connecticut Sun
According to multiple reports, Phoenix is set to acquire five-time All-Star Alyssa Thomas from Connecticut in a seismic trade. The deal ends Thomas' 10-year run with the Sun, who selected her fourth overall in the 2014 WNBA Draft.
Phoenix isn't quite sure what it will look like next season, but it will now build around Thomas after the loss of Griner. The Sun, meanwhile, appear set to embark on a difficult rebuild.
The Phoenix Mercury are finalizing a deal to acquire Alyssa Thomas from the Connecticut Sun. That's according to a person familiar with the deal who spoke to The Associated Press Tuesday night on condition of anonymity because they weren't authorized to discuss it publicly.
WNBA center Brittney Griner will not be playing in Phoenix for the first time in her career this season after signing to the Atlanta Dream Tuesday. All-WNBA forward Alyssa Thomas will be making her debut for the Phoenix Mercury this year after being traded by the Connecticut Sun on the same day.
The Phoenix Mercury and head coach Nate Tibbetts are rebuilding their squad from the ground up, and they’ve found a centerpiece in the Connecticut Sun veteran. Here’s what Alyssa Thomas will bring to the Valley.
The Sun will receive guard Natasha Cloud, wing Rebecca Allen and the No. 12 pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft in exchange for Thomas. Ty Harris will also head to Phoenix in the deal. The full trade was initially reported by Howard Megdal of The Next and later confirmed by Philippou.