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Storm Add All-Star Brittney Sykes in High-Impact Trade With Mystics

In a bold move to strengthen their playoff push, the Seattle Storm acquired All-Star guard Brittney Sykes from the Washington Mystics on Tuesday, signaling their commitment to contend in a crowded WNBA postseason race.

Jacobo Garrido

Aug 3, 2025; College Park, Georgia, USA; Washington Mystics guard Brittney Sykes (20) dribbles against the Atlanta Dream in the first quarter at Gateway Center Arena at College Park.
Aug 3, 2025; College Park, Georgia, USA; Washington Mystics guard Brittney Sykes (20) dribbles against the Atlanta Dream in the first quarter at Gateway Center Arena at College Park. / Brett Davis-Imagn Images

SEATTLE — The trade sends veteran forward Alysha Clark, guard Zia Cooke, and a 2026 first-round draft pick to the Mystics in exchange for Brittney Sykes, a dynamic two-way player who brings experience, athleticism and playoff readiness to a Seattle team that has struggled with consistency this season.

Sykes, averaging 15.4 points, 4.3 assists, and 1.2 steals per game, is expected to provide an immediate impact alongside Skylar Diggins-Smith, Gabby Williams and Nneka Ogwumike. The Storm are currently in sixth place with a 16-13 record but have lost three of their last four games. The addition of Sykes could be the spark Seattle needs to climb into the league’s top tier.

Seattle has yet to win back-to-back games in nearly a month, largely due to an offense that has relied heavily on Ogwumike and Diggins-Smith to carry the scoring load. With Sykes now in the mix, the Storm gained a slasher who can attack the rim, draw fouls and defend multiple positions. Her ability to create for herself and her teammates is expected to relieve pressure on Seattle’s stars while adding depth to the rotation.

Sykes’ arrival also marks a philosophical shift for the Storm, who are clearly focused on immediate results. The trade does come at the cost of Clark, a two-time champion with Seattle and a respected veteran presence. But Clark had been moved to the bench earlier this season, signaling her limited role in the team’s current system. Zia Cooke, who was waived by Washington following the trade, played a reserve role and averaged just over 10 minutes per game.

Seattle still retains two additional first-round picks in 2026 thanks to previous trades, maintaining flexibility for future moves. The front office's decision to part with one of them in this deal suggests a win-now mentality as the playoff race tightens.

With Sykes joining a core that includes Diggins-Smith, Ogwumike, Williams, and center Ezi Magbegor, the Storm are banking on talent and depth to push them deep into the postseason. The move positions Seattle as one of the league’s most complete rosters and one now out of excuses to not contend for a title.

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Jacobo Garrido
JACOBO GARRIDO

Jacobo Garrido is a graduate of California State University, Long Beach, where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism with a focus on multimedia and broadcast reporting. During his time at CSULB, he worked as a field reporter for Dig en Español magazine, covering topics impacting the Latino community in Long Beach and surrounding areas. He also reported and produced campus news content, gaining hands-on experience in writing, editing, and on-camera storytelling. After graduating, Jacobo served as the national news correspondent for L28 News for over three years, where he wrote, shot, and edited weekly news segments covering major stories across the country. His experience spans live sports coverage, community profiles, and digital-first storytelling, with a passion for sharing stories that reflect and connect with diverse audiences.

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