The Phoenix Mercury are close to completing a trade to bring Alyssa Thomas over from the Connecticut Sun, according to a source familiar with the negotiations.
The deal will also see Ty Harris join the Mercury, while Connecticut will receive Natasha Cloud, Rebecca Allen, and the 12th overall selection in this year’s draft. This information was shared on the condition of anonymity, as the individual was not authorized to disclose details publicly.
Alyssa Thomas has spent her entire professional career with the Connecticut Sun, playing a crucial role in the team’s appearances in the WNBA Finals in both 2019 and 2022. Recently named as the Sun’s franchise player, Thomas was an unrestricted free agent prior to this designation, which restricts her ability to join another team without being traded.
Due to the nature of this being a sign-and-trade agreement, the transaction is not expected to be finalized until February 1. Reports of the trade were first revealed by ESPN.
Adding to the storyline, Thomas’ fiancé, DeWanna Bonner, is a free agent herself, potentially paving the way for her return to Phoenix, where she played for the first decade of her WNBA career.
The 32-year-old Thomas recently earned an Olympic gold medal with Team USA. During the last season, she averaged impressive numbers, including 10.6 points, 7.9 assists, and 8.4 rebounds per game. Notably, she leads the WNBA in career triple-doubles with 15, with four of those performances occurring during playoff games.
In 2023, Thomas was a runner-up for the MVP award. She has been outspoken regarding the Sun’s inadequate practice facilities and the franchise’s struggle to keep up with other teams in terms of resources. In contrast, Phoenix recently unveiled a new practice facility.
Natasha Cloud joined Phoenix as a free agent last year and is now set to return to the East Coast after starting her career in Washington. Meanwhile, Rebecca Allen played a part of the previous season with the Sun before making a move to Phoenix.
Phoenix is navigating a period of change this offseason, especially following the news that All-Star center Brittney Griner is reportedly heading to Atlanta as a free agent. The future of veteran player Diana Taurasi remains uncertain as speculation about her retirement continues.
This trade is the latest high-profile transaction in the WNBA, coming shortly after a significant three-way trade involving Las Vegas, Seattle, and Los Angeles, which saw players like Kelsey Plum and Jewell Loyd switch teams, in addition to a top draft pick being exchanged.
