Phoenix has officially joined the WNBA Free Agency arms race.
Details of the full trade, via the Mercury:
Phoenix will send Brianna Turner, Michaela Onyenwere, and four draft picks (including the 2024 number 3 overall pick) for star guard Kahleah Copper and forward Morgan Bertsch.
The deal also includes a first-round pick in 2026, Chicago will receive its 2025 second-round pick back from Phoenix, and rights to a 2026 second-round pick swap with Phoenix.
Copper is a three-time all-star, a WNBA champion, WNBA Finals MVP, and is coming off a season averaging about 19 ppg, four rpg, two apg, and a steal per game.
This comes after the Mercury acquired Rebecca Allen for Moriah Jefferson and signed guard Natasha Cloud, setting the franchise up for a potentially big 2024.
Copper said bye to Chicago and hello to Phoenix on her Instagram, adding this at the end:
“Phoenix ahhhhhh I’m ready and ALL IN! To my new teammates and coaches: you’re getting all of me. My hunger, my desire, my competitive spirit. Every. Damn. Possession. X-Factor, I can’t wait to be on your side and bring another championship back to The Valley. Let’s get it!”
Now that the Aces, Liberty, and Storm (who just signed Skylar Diggins-Smith and Nneka Ogwumike) have loaded up – General Manager Nick U’Ren and head coach Nate Tibbetts have shown that they mean business. And owner Mat Ishbia shows, once again, that he wants to win immediately.
While it’s very much expected that she’ll return, the next order of business is for Brittney Griner to officially sign her new deal.
Eliav Gabay
