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WNBA Free Agency: Courtney Williams traded to Atlanta Dream in three-team deal with Connecticut, Phoenix

Photo Credit: Ethan Miller/Getty Images

The Atlanta Dream’s connections to the Connecticut Sun came in handy as the team completed its latest move.

Speculation was that the DeWanna Bonner trade the Connecticut Sun completed with the Phoenix Mercury would mean there would not be much room remaining for other players such as Shekinna Stricklen and Courtney Williams.

Stricklen reunited with coach Nicki Collen and general manager Chris Sienko in Atlanta … and now she will be reunited with Williams as the Sun, Dream and Phoenix Mercury completed a three-team trade sending her to the Dream.

The Dream also acquired a second round draft pick from the Mercury for this year’s draft. Phoenix got Nia Coffey and Jessica Breland from Atlanta in the deal and Connecticut will add Briann January from Phoenix along with second round pick in 2021’s draft from the Mercury.


Courtney is arguably the best mid-range scorer in the WNBA but has also become a very effective 3-point shooter which will keep defenses honest. While one of the smaller players in the league, she attacks the boards at both ends of the floor fearlessly and effectively.

–Nicki Collen, Atlanta Dream coach (per release)

It is ironic that Angel McCoughtry’s leaving the Dream set all the activity of the 2020 free agency period in motion. Since then, Atlanta has netted Kalani Brown, Glory Johnson, Shekinna Stricklen and now Courtney Williams (not to mention Alexis Jones from waivers). The Dream will certainly have a new look, both literally and figuratively in 2020.

This in addition to the fact that Atlanta made tries to land Tiffany Mitchell and Astou Ndour.
Interestingly enough, one of the players previously with the Dream is Alex Bentley. She and Williams reportedly got into an altercation during the 2018 season which prompted a trade between the Sun and Dream sending Bentley to Atlanta.

An Atlanta Journal-Constitution article mentions Bentley no longer being with the Dream.

Oh – and the Dream still have the No. 4 pick in this year’s draft. DraftSite.com’s latest mock has Florida State’s Kiah Gillespie going to the Dream behind Sabrina Ionescu (New York Liberty), Satou Sabally (Dallas Wings) and Lauren Cox (Indiana Fever).

As for the Sun, Williams let her feelings be known about the trade in an Instagram post.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B8wkYjmJWRZ/

As for Connecticut, a portion of its official release regarding the trade is sure to garner much attention among fans looking for a juicy storyline three months prior to tip-off.


We realize Courtney was a fan-favorite and we wish her the best in Atlanta. Unfortunately, despite our best efforts and all the loyalty and support we’ve shown Courtney over the last four seasons, it became clear she no longer wanted to return to Connecticut.

–Curt Miller, Connecticut Sun coach (per release)


I will look back fondly on the memories we created together, but my focus as always is with the players that have a burning desire to help the Connecticut Sun hang the franchise’s first championship banner.

–Curt Miller, Connecticut Sun coach (per release)

The Sun nearly earned that first championship banner last year before losing in the WNBA Finals in five games to the Washington Mystics.

Sienko and Collen arrived in Atlanta in 2017 by way of New England. Williams played her first season in the W a year earlier.

That was not the only big news of the day in WNBA Free Agency. Chicago also made some news, albeit expected news, but Skytown can once again rejoice that its three-point specialist Allie Quigley will return in 2020.

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