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Phoenix Mercury Acquire Five-Time WNBA All-Star in Blockbuster Trade
The Phoenix Mercury made a massive move on Tuesday that could shake up the WNBA.
Phoenix is reportedly finalizing a deal to acquire perennial MVP candidate Alyssa Thomas from the Connecticut Sun. The 32-year-old power forward averaged 10.6 points, 8.4 rebounds and 7.9 assists during the 2024 season.
Thomas is a five-time All-Star, three-time All-WNBA pick, has six WNBA all-defensive team selections, and is the league's all-time leader in triple-doubles with 11 in the regular season and four in the postseason. She was also a member of Team USA's gold medal-winning squad at the 2024 Summer Olympics.
Thomas was selected by the New York Liberty with the fourth pick in the 2014 WNBA draft, but was shipped to Connecticut in a draft-day trade. She has spent her entire 11-year career with the Sun.
Thomas was a free agent but because Connecticut cored her, she could only leave the team if traded. Cored players receive an offer for a one-year, supermax contract and must sign off on any potential trade destination. The Thomas deal will be a sign-and-trade and won't be official until after February 1.
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Ryan Phillips is a senior writer on the Breaking and Trending News team at Sports Illustrated. He has worked in digital media since 2009, spending eight years at The Big Lead before joining SI in 2024. Phillips also co-hosts The Assembly Call Podcast about Indiana Hoosiers basketball and previously worked at Bleacher Report. He is a proud San Diego native and a graduate of Indiana University’s journalism program.