The Phoenix Mercury are making a splash in the offseason by finalizing a trade to bring in five-time All-Star forward Alyssa Thomas and guard Ty Harris from the Connecticut Sun, ESPN first reported on Tuesday.
According to Howard Megdal of The Next, point guard Natasha Cloud, wing Rebecca Allen, and the No. 12 pick will be sent to Connecticut.
Thomas is regarded as one of the best defensive players in the league and has finished top-five in MVP voting each of the last three seasons.
She’s earned six all-defensive team nods in her career and is the league’s all-time triple-double leader with 11 in the regular season and four more in the postseason. She averaged 10.6 points, 7.9 assists and 8.4 rebounds last year with the Sun.
The move comes after center Brittney Griner announced last week that she was exploring free agency for the first time after spending her entire career with the Mercury. The Mercury needed depth in the frontcourt with Griner’s potential departure.
Thomas was an unrestricted free agent, but the Sun “cored” her, meaning the only way she could leave the team was to be traded. Thomas also had to sign off on her ultimate trade destination. Because the transaction involves a sign-and-trade, the move can’t be made official until Feb. 1.
The 32-year-old has played her entire career with the Sun, leading the organization to six consecutive semifinal appearances and Finals berths in 2019 and 2022.
Harris recorded a career-high 10.5 points and 3.0 assists in 39 games last season.
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(This story has been updated to add or change a gallery.)
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Mercury to acquire Alyssa Thomas in trade with Sun, ESPN reports
