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Alexa Philippou
The Phoenix Mercury are finalizing a trade to acquire five-time All-Star forward Alyssa Thomas from the Connecticut Sun, sources told ESPN on Tuesday.
Thomas, who had played her entire career with the Sun, leaves Connecticut as one of the greatest players in franchise history after helping the organization to six consecutive semifinal appearances as well as Finals berths in 2019 and 2022.
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 6-foot-2 Thomas is regarded as one of the best defenders and facilitators in the league, establishing herself as one of the top players in the world as she has finished top-five in MVP voting each of the past three seasons.
Thomas, also a 2024 Olympian with USA Basketball, 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.
Aside from bringing in Thomas, the Mercury were already poised to look different next season. Brittney Griner is exploring free agency for the first time in her career, and Diana Taurasi is considering retiring.
In their first season under Nate Tibbetts, the Mercury were swept in the first round of the playoffs by the Minnesota Lynx.
Connecticut recently hired former Belgium national team coach Rachid Meziane to lead the organization, replacing Stephanie White, who left for the Indiana Fever.
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