Connecticut Sun Bluntly Reject Veteran Guard's Trade Request

Marina Mabrey will be sticking around with the Sun for the time being.
The Connecticut Sun have shut down the trade request of veteran Marina Mabrey.
The Connecticut Sun have shut down the trade request of veteran Marina Mabrey. / Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
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The Connecticut Sun have rebuffed a trade request from veteran guard Marina Mabrey, as team president Jennifer Rizzotti insists that the franchise is "not hitting the panic button."

"We're not hitting the panic button," Rizzotti told Sportico. "We feel good about the moves that we've made. We've been very intentional about our priorities."

The Sun will look a lot different in 2025 than a season ago. The entire starting lineup from last year's team has moved on, either by trade or free agency. Brionna Jones and DeWanna Bonner, the franchise's two All-Stars, left in free agency. The Sun also moved on from Alyssa Thomas and DiJonai Carrington.

But Mabrey remained on the roster as one of the lone rotation pieces remaining. Even though she requested a trade, Rizzotti is not fulfilling the request. Mabrey was acquired last season in a trade with the Chicago Sky that sent Rachel Banham and Moriah Jefferson to Chicago, as well as the rights to swap first-round picks in 2026.

"We knew at the time that she had already forced her way out of two teams, so it was a bit risky to trade for her, but we felt like it was worth it," Rizzotti said of Mabrey.

In 16 games with the Sun last season, Mabrey averaged 14.9 points and 3.4 assists per game.

The Sun reached the WNBA semifinals last season, but appear primed to take a step back, whether Mabrey is on the final roster or not.


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Mike McDaniel
MIKE MCDANIEL

Mike McDaniel is a staff writer on the Breaking and Trending News team at Sports Illustrated, where he has worked since January 2022. His work has been featured at InsideTheACC.com, SB Nation, FanSided and more. McDaniel hosts the Hokie Hangover Podcast, covering Virginia Tech athletics, as well as Basketball Conference: The ACC Football Podcast. Outside of work, he is a husband and father, and an avid golfer.