The Connecticut Sun are set to acquire star forward Alyssa Thomas from the Phoenix Mercury in a major WNBA trade. Here’s what it means for both teams and the league.
The Connecticut Sun are close to acquiring star forward Alyssa Thomas from the Phoenix Mercury in a sign-and-trade deal, according to ESPN’s Alexa Philippou. The return package includes the No. 12 pick in the draft, though the full details aren’t final until February 1.
Thomas’ rights belonged to the Sun because they used a core designation on her, preventing her from becoming an unrestricted free agent.
She’s been an All-Star and MVP finalist in each of the past three seasons, while also finishing as a two-time runner-up for Defensive Player of the Year.
Thomas helped lead the Sun to two WNBA Finals appearances, in 2019 and 2022.
However, the 2024 postseason highlighted Thomas’ frustration with the Sun’s facilities.
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Ahead of a playoff series against Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever, the Sun had to prepare on a half-court that was shared with a community center event. Thomas told The Next Hoops’ Noa Dalzell:
“It’s normal at this point. I mean, Mohegan has to do better. We’re [a] professional team. We’re competing for playoffs… We need more, we need better to compete at the highest level.”
She also criticized the Sun after returning from the 2024 Paris Olympics with Team USA, saying her Olympic experience made her realize the Sun were “super behind” in terms of practice facilities (per NBC Sports Boston’s Justin Leger).
On the other hand, the Mercury opened a $100 million practice facility before the 2024 WNBA season, which may have appealed to Thomas. Since a sign-and-trade requires her approval, top-notch facilities could be a big factor in her decision.
Thomas heading to Phoenix may also influence her partner and former Sun teammate DeWanna Bonner, who is an unrestricted free agent after the 2024 season. Bonner might decide to join the Mercury as well.
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For the Sun, losing Thomas—and potentially Bonner—could signal the end of an era. The duo helped the team reach the semifinals five years in a row. Meanwhile, the Mercury’s future is also up in the air, with Brittney Griner hitting free agency and Diana Taurasi possibly retiring. If both move on, Phoenix could build a new core around Thomas (and maybe Bonner if she signs) alongside other veterans like Natasha Cloud, a three-time All-Defensive Team guard who won a championship in 2019, and Rebecca Allen, who averaged 7.4 points per game last season.
This is the second massive WNBA move reported by Philippou this week, following news of a three-team trade that sent Jewell Loyd to the Las Vegas Aces and Kelsey Plum to the Los Angeles Sparks. The 2025 WNBA season is already shaping up to be a big one, with star players changing teams and championship contenders reloading.
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