These WNBA players could be on the move ahead of the Aug. 7 trade deadline.
The "W" isn't known for big trade deadline deals. That said, this could be the year we see WNBA players that will be traded by the deadline on Aug. 7.
With teams jockeying for title contention or eyeing a new era in the franchise there are many reasons to make trades. The Connecticut Sun could look to load up to face off against the Las Vegas Aces and New York Liberty. The Atlanta Dream could look to capitalize on a young team that is gelling at the right time. And the Phoenix Mercury could look towards building for the future.
Whatever the team and whatever the reason, there's plenty of talent in the WNBA to find a suitable trade. With that, let's get to five WNBA players that will be traded before the season is over.
WNBA Trade Candidate No. 5: AD Durr, Atlanta Dream
The first of our WNBA players that will be traded is AD Durr. Durr has had an up-and-down career since being drafted second overall in 2019. After sitting out the 2020 season during the COVID-19 pandemic they then dealt with long-term effects of contracting the virus and missed the entire 2021 season.
After Durr finally got back onto the court in 2022, they were traded to the Atlanta Dream from the New York Liberty. In 15 games from the Dream last season Durr averaged 10.7 points per game (PPG).
This year, however, with the additions of Haley Jones, Danielle Robinson and Allisha Gray, Durr has found themselves in a rotational role at just under 14 minutes per game. This is all before Aari McDonald returned from a torn labrum suffered early in the season.
A player with the pedigree of Durr should still have interest around the league. And at 26 years old, that interest could come from either a contending team or a young team looking to grow.
The Washington Mystics would be an interesting fit for Durr. Washington hasn't had a strong bench for a couple of years, and Durr would immediately take over as the first guard off the bench. We've already seen the Mystics make a move for Queen Egbo this season. For a team trying to win a championship, now is the time to be aggressive.
WNBA Trade Candidate No. 4: An LA Sparks veteran guard
.The Los Angeles Sparks are having a rough go right now. Losers of seven straight, things aren't going too well for new head coach Curt Miller and Co. Depending on their confidence level in righting the ship, the Sparks could unload a veteran guard at the trade deadline.
A low-cost move would be moving on from Jasmine Thomas, who Miller brought over from his Connecticut Sun days. Thomas has only played in 13 games and averaged 14.2 MPG, so she's not too involved. But a contending team would maybe trade a late-round pick or young player who is not in the rotation for a veteran presence going into the postseason. Perhaps a reunion in Connecticut, or with former teammate Jonquel Jones in New York?
If LA wanted to make a bigger move they could trade Jordin Canada who has started 18 games and averaged 12.6 points and 5.6 assists per game (APG). Canada would garner a bigger return from a team in need of serious guard help. The Dallas Wings would be an interesting fit as a team trying to break into the next tier in the league standings.
The point of either of these trades would be to make room for young players to be evaluated in a season that the Sparks are quickly losing control of. First-round pick Zia Cooke has started to be a bigger part of the rotation, and a trade would help continue that trend. Destanni Henderson was recently released from the team, but was another young guard who was trying to crack the rotation.
If a trade meant bringing Henderson back for the rest of the season, that would be worth it.
WNBA Trade Candidate No. 3: Brianna Turner, Phoenix Mercury
Brianna Turner is in an interesting situation for the Phoenix Mercury. She has started 14 of the 21 games she's played in and has been in the rotation heavily all season. So, while she hasn't necessarily lost minutes on the court, she has seen a significant decrease in offensive role.
In 2020 and 2021, Turner attempted 5.2 and 6.1 shots per game, respectively. Which equated to 7.2 and 7.8 PPG in those seasons in addition to over nine rebounds per game (RPG) those years as well.
But in the last two seasons, we've seen her shot attempts decrease to 3.2 in 2022 and just 2.1 so far in 2023. As well as less than seven rebounds. It's clear she is no longer a focal point of the team on this end, but again at just 26 years old and with a track record for being effective, is an intriguing trade target.
One team I like for Turner is the Seattle Storm, who have a glut of guards I'll talk about next and could use a forward like Turner between their centers and wing players. But more on that later.
From the Mercury's point of view, their season is not going to plan. Just 4-6 in their last 10 games, and sitting at 6-15 on the season. Similar to LA, it might be time to clear a path for players actually in their long-term plans.
WNBA Trade Candidate No. 2: Sami Whitcomb, Seattle Storm
As mentioned previously, the Seattle Storm have a glut in the backcourt. Jewell Loyd, Ivan Dojkic, Kia Nurse and Sami Whitcomb are all heavily involved in the rotation — not to mention Gabby Williams has returned to the lineup as well and taking minutes on the wing. Even third-round pick Jade Melbourne was starting to see some minutes before the All-Star break.
If Seattle wanted to offload a guard whether it be for another post player, a late-round draft pick or just to clear space in the rotation, Whitcomb would be the player to move.
The two-time champion is still having a productive season (8.1PPG), albeit all coming off the bench save for one game. Whitmore is clearly behind Nurse and Dojkic on the depth chart, and with Williams returning, that will keep first-round pick Jordan Horston in a bench role as well.
The Storm are 4-17 on the year and losers of their last eight games. At this point, they should be looking to extract value wherever they can. Even if that means moving on from a long-time player.
I've mentioned a few teams already that could use some guard depth heading into the postseason push: Liberty, Sun, Wings, Mystics, etc. But finding a way to bring in Brianna Turner from the Mercury would be fun for the Storm. Seattle might have to add something to Whitcomb to get it done, though.
WNBA Trade Candidate No. 1: Kahleah Copper, Chicago Sky
Our final player on the list of WNBA players that will be traded list: Kahleah Copper
Copper is by far the best, and highest-profile player on this list. One of the final two vestiges from the 2021 championship team, Copper represents an era in Chicago Sky basketball that is in the past.
This past offseason, we saw Candace Parker, Courtney Vandersloot, Allie Quigley, Azura Stevens and Emma Messeman leave. Two offseasons ago, it was Diamond DeShields and Stefanie Dolson. All of that before head coach/GM James Wade stepped down during the season.
The Sky made a big trade for Marina Mabrey before the season, who is two years younger than Copper and under contract through 2025. Copper is a free agent this offseason who they would have to re-sign to keep moving forward.
This move is purely to sell high on an All-Star player and turn the page for the franchise. A franchise that is currently 8-13, 3-7 in their last ten and lost four straight games.
The return for Copper could be enormous. Perhaps a young and talented running mate for Mabrey, or a large haul of draft picks to rebuild with. Either way, you could see any team in the league being willing to pull the trigger on Copper.
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