Eliav Gabay
This has been an impressive offseason for the Phoenix Mercury.
Made even more impressive by the fact that it’s just the first offseason this new-look front office has navigated.
General Manager Nick U’Ren went to work – notably adding Natasha Cloud, Rebecca Allen, Morgan Bertsch, and Mikiah Herbert Harrigan – but no acquisition was greater than 2021 Finals MVP Kahleah Copper.
“I just see myself fitting in with high-level players,” Copper said. “Players who have that fire.”
“One thing we love about the players we’ve acquired is their competitiveness,” U’Ren said. “Competitors love playing with great competitors.”
He added that there was a focus on getting players who are versatile on both ends as far as defending multiple positions and taking on unique roles within head coach Nate Tibbetts’ system.
As far as Copper specifically: “She has the ability to be the best player on both sides of the ball,” U’Ren said.
While this trade is not what she expected after signing an extension with Chicago, the Sky are in full rebuild mode now and she wants to c0mpete for a title. In addition, finding an organization that focuses on the women’s game (like owner Mat Ishbia’s plans for a $100 million Mercury practice facility) was crucial for her.
“It’s important to invest in women,” Copper said. “You see the results that come out of it. It’s something I’ve never experienced – seeing those plans and seeing what’s in the works. I’m excited.”
“It worked out because Chicago really worked with me, trying to get me in a really good position for myself and my career.”
She’s no stranger to her new co-stars either, as they battled for the title in 2021 and participated in 2024 Team USA training camp.
“That’s how it supposed to be, right?,” Copper said. “It was The Finals. It was championship on the line. You expect nothing less…I spent a lot of time with [Diana Taurasi] and [Brittney Griner]. Before this even happened, just seeing their relationship, and how close-knit they are. Spending that time in training camp picking their brains.”
The elements Copper adds are clear to see – play-making, scoring in all phases, elite defense, high IQ, athleticism, and of course, competitiveness greatness.
“Staying aggressive with how I’m playing pick n’ rolls and consistently wanting to shoot the three,” Copper said. “Every year that I’ve come into the league, I’ve gotten better somewhere, so just continuing to build on my game and stay healthy.”
Not only has Copper’s arrival given hope for the present, it also gives the Mercury life after what could be Taurasi’s final season.
“Diana’s the greatest player of all-time and she deserves to have a competitive, fun group around her,” U’Ren said.
Championship experience may be the biggest element Copper brings, along with Natasha Cloud, who has a title of her own with the Mystics in 2019.
#Mercury @T_Cloud4 on associate head coach @KristiToliver having to do with her coming to Phoenix:
"Kristi was a huge piece…Phoenix always had such a common feel to it. I was looking at Phoenix before Kristi even got mentioned…so then when Kristi actually texted our Mystics…— Eliav Gabay (@eliavgabay) February 23, 2024
“This is a roster that’s going to compete for a championship,” Copper said. “We all know what it takes to get to the big stage, so there’s no doubt in my mind that we can put it all together and compete.”
Copper also spoke a bit on her first conversation with Tibbetts.
“He’s a really nice guy,” Copper said. “We’ve been talking a lot outside of basketball. Relationships are important. Building those relationships – those things transfer over.”
Next order of business is introducing Natasha Cloud on Friday and still needing to sign Brittney Griner to her new deal.
