While the free agency period officially begins the first day of February, there are moves being made that will once again ensure the 2025 WNBA season looks outwardly different from previous campaign.
The first domino to fall was the reported three-team trade involving the Las Vegas Aces, Los Angeles Sparks and Seattle Storm. That deal would send Jewell Loyd to the Aces and Kelsey Plum to the Sparks.
Now, according to ESPN’s Alexa Phillipou, the walking triple-double that is Alyssa Thomas is preparing to be dealt from the Connecticut Sun to the Phoenix Mercury.
The Mercury are making this move to ensure that the team stays somewhere in the contender’s chat for next season. Phillipou mentioned how Thomas was recently cored by the Sun but was previously an unrestricted free agent. This meant that a trade was the only way Thomas could be heading out of New England.
The reported move of Thomas from Connecticut to Phoenix has also led to a wealth of speculation on social media regarding the future of DeWanna Bonner. Bonner was drafted by the Mercury and played in Phoenix from 2009-2019.
It would make sense for both Thomas and Bonner to take their talents to Phoenix. After all, it is yet to be seen what the Mercury will resemble going into the 2025 season. This is particularly the case with retirement talk continuing to swirl around Diana Taurasi. Also, Brittney Griner has tested the free agent waters with a reported signing with the Atlanta Dream in the works.
A story of this trade may not have as much to do with the Mercury as it does the Sun. Connecticut has had a reputation for being a team that puts together excellent regular seasons without it translating into postseason success. Last season, the Sun lost in five games to the Minnesota Lynx to be denied a berth in the WNBA Finals. Connecticut in recent years has also lost twice in the Finals – once in 2019 to the Washington Mystics and once in 2022 to the Aces.
That lack of postseason success appears to have caught up with the franchise. Over the offseason, Stephanie White – who was 2023’s Coach of the Year – decided to leave New England to coach Aliyah Boston and Caitlin Clark at the Indiana Fever in place of former coach Christie Sides. The Sun also underwent a front office reshuffle with former assistant general manager Morgan Tuck assuming the role of general manager.
The former general manager, Darius Taylor, has taken on a role of Chief Basketball Strategist and Director of Scouting. Also, Rachid Meziane – who has coached primarily in the international ranks – will serve in White’s stead as head coach.
It also was not the most flattering of looks for the franchise when it was revealed the team was practicing in a rec league gym prior to a postseason contest with the Fever. Thomas will not have that problem in Arizona as the Mercury unveiled a new state-of-the-art practice facility in downtown Phoenix located mere steps away from the Footprint Center.
The venue was unveiled during last season’s All-Star weekend in Phoenix and Thomas had an opportunity to utilize said facility when she was practicing with USA Basketball in preparation for last year’s Olympics in Paris.
In many ways, that is a central point of this reported deal. Since Thomas herself had to sign off on it, it speaks volumes that she will be heading to a team whose owner – Mat Ishbia – has received plenty of praise within WNBA circles for putting his money where his mouth is.
This was displayed prior to the 2024 season when the Mercury traded to land Kahleah Copper – the MVP of the 2021 Finals – from the Chicago Sky. And it has been proven again.
Rachel Galligan on her Bleacher Report/Winsidr program with Aryeh Schwartz believed that Natasha Cloud could be part of a trade package if a third team is not involved. We now know that Cloud is indeed going Connecticut’s way along with Ty Harris and Rebecca Allen. The No. 12 overall pick is also going the Sun’s way.
Regardless of who is involved, it is another sign that this will once again be another out of control free agency calendar – and that the landscape of the WNBA will undergo major changes.
