The Phoenix Mercury have been finalizing a deal to accumulate Alyssa Thomas from the Connecticut Solar, an individual conversant in the commerce informed The Related Press on Tuesday evening.
The Solar additionally will ship Ty Harris to Phoenix, whereas Connecticut will obtain Natasha Cloud, Rebecca Allen and the No. 12 choose on this 12 months’s draft, in keeping with the particular person, who spoke on situation of anonymity as a result of they weren’t licensed to talk publicly in regards to the deal.
Thomas has performed her total profession with Connecticut and helped the franchise attain the WNBA Finals in 2019 and 2022. Thomas was an unrestricted free agent earlier than she was designated because the group’s franchise participant earlier this month, that means the one manner she may signal with one other group was through commerce.
Because the deal is a sign-and-trade, it might’t develop into official till Feb. 1. ESPN first reported the commerce.
Thomas’ fiancee, DeWanna Bonner, is a free agent and will additionally go to Phoenix, the place she spent the primary 10 years of her WNBA profession.
The 32-year-old Thomas received an Olympic gold medal with america this previous summer time and averaged 10.6 factors, 7.9 assists and eight.4 rebounds final season. She’s the WNBA’s profession chief in triple-doubles with 15, 4 of which got here within the postseason.
Thomas, an MVP runner-up in 2023, had been vocal in regards to the Solar’s lack of a observe facility and the franchise’s failure to maintain tempo with different groups. Phoenix opened a brand new observe facility this previous 12 months.
Cloud signed as a free agent with Phoenix final 12 months and now will probably be again on the East Coast after spending the early a part of her profession in Washington. Allen performed for Connecticut in 2023 earlier than getting traded to Phoenix final 12 months.
Phoenix is present process a transition this offseason with All-Star middle Brittney Griner exploring free company. And it isn’t clear whether or not veteran Diana Taurasi will play once more or retire.
This was the second main commerce within the WNBA this week. A three-way deal reached Sunday between Las Vegas, Seattle and Los Angeles will ship Kelsey Plum to the Sparks, Jewell Loyd to the Aces and the No. 2 choose within the draft to the Storm.
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