Phoenix Mercury acquire Alyssa Thomas from the Connecticut Sun

Written by

Sara Jane Gamelli

It is official. Alyssa Thomas is bringing the engine to the valley and it is an finish of an period Connecticut.

Thomas, 32, has spent all 11 seasons with the Connecticut Solar. At present, ESPN’s Alexa Philippou first reported the Phoenix Mercury will purchase Alyssa Thomas and Ty Harris from the Connecticut Solar, in trade for Natasha Cloud, Rebecca Allen, and the No. 12 total choose within the 2025 WNBA Draft.

A 5x WNBA All-Star, Thomas has undoubtedly been a Connecticut Solar loyal and fan favourite. A 2024 Olympic Gold Medalist, issues are about to get hotter in Phoenix.

And Alyssa Thomas closes out the third quarter in pure AT vogue, with a drive to the BASKET!

Solar lead the Lynx 68-63! pic.twitter.com/B4FM5t9tlJ

— Sara Jane Gamelli (@SaraJGamelli) October 6, 2024

Drafted No. 4 total by the New York Liberty within the 2014 WNBA Draft, Thomas was shortly shipped to the Solar. Underneath head coaches Anne Donovan, Curt Miller, and Stephanie White, Thomas led the franchise to eight consecutive playoff appearances, together with two WNBA Finals. One of the embellished Solar gamers of all time, Thomas led Connecticut to 6 straight semi-finals.

Whereas Thomas and the Solar finally conceded to the Washington Mystics and Las Vegas Aces within the Finals, the previous Maryland star was a monumental piece to the Solar’s unbelievable run. As a part of the most effective groups within the WNBA, Connecticut merely could not recover from the hump.

Alyssa Thomas has spent her complete profession in Connecticut

Though a bittersweet day, Thomas departs Connecticut because the franchise’s chief in a number of classes. Thomas, Connecticut’s all-time chief in rebounds, subject targets, assists, defensive win shares, free-throws, and steals, has eternally impacted Uncasville and the followers. In 11 seasons, AT averaged 12.2 factors, 7.5 rebounds, 4.6 assists, and 1.6 steals.

The transfer does not come as a lot of a shock after Connecticut prolonged a Core qualifying provide to Thomas on January 17. A participant will be supplied a one-year tremendous max contract when this occurs. It additionally means the one means Thomas might depart can be by commerce. Just like franchise tags within the NFL, Thomas has to log out on the commerce.

Following the latest lack of Brittney Griner to Atlanta, Thomas joins an fascinating roster. Since it is a sign-in and commerce, the deal will not be formally introduced till February 1( The Subsequent). With Diana Taurasi a free agent, there’s been no phrase of an official retirement. Thomas now joins Kahleah Copper as Phoenix’s main 1-2 punch within the backcourt.

What the commerce means for the Phoenix Mercury

DeWanner receiving some heat gestures in her return to Phoenix AND accompanied by fiance Alyssa Thomas #WNBAAllStar pic.twitter.com/u5cjq8eOpM

— Sara Jane Gamelli (@SaraJGamelli) July 20, 2024

Now, Phoenix has an actual one, coming from a Connecticut native. Not solely is Thomas a pacesetter, however she was additionally the catalyst behind either side of the ball. An explosive participant who can get downhill, nobody possesses extra tenacity and firepower than AT. The WNBA’s all-time triple-double chief, there is not any participant fairly like Alyssa Thomas. She brings a lot wanted talent, protection, grit, and star energy to win a championship within the valley.

With the commerce comes a singular situation. For those who did not know, former Solar teammate and fiancé DeWanna Bonner is about to grow to be a free agent. Having spent the final 5 years of her profession with Connecticut, Bonner spent the primary 10 years of her WNBA profession with the Mercury. A 2x WNBA Champion with Phoenix, it will likely be fascinating if Bonner finally ends up her profession in Phoenix.

It is a complete win for Phoenix, who will purchase sharpshooter Ty Harris within the commerce. Having spent the final two seasons with the Connecticut Solar, Harris shortly emerged as a hero, particularly within the playoffs. An integral a part of the Solar’s playoff run towards the Lynx, we won’t neglect that 20-point efficiency in sport three vs Minnesota. Harris averaged 10.5 factors, 1.8 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 1.0 steals in her first 12 months as a full-time starter. Capturing 39.4 % from three-point, Harris brings a lot wanted offense to the Mercury.

Thomas has been clear about Connecticut’s lack of services

Within the offseason, Alyssa Thomas has been clear and vocal concerning the lack of facilities that the Connecticut Solar gives. Just some weeks in the past, the purpose ahead spoke to the Unequalled media, signaling there could be a cause for the change.

I am centered on Unequalled proper now, “Thomas instructed the media on January 9. They’ve every thing you presumably want right here. They do not actually have a whole lot of these issues in Connecticut. It has been making an attempt to soak up as a lot data as I can.”

A number of gamers, corresponding to Thomas, have witnessed what Unequalled gives in South Seashore. With state-of-the-art tools and services, Unequalled has every thing after which some. The Connecticut Solar has lengthy lacked the correct services wanted to keep up stars. Though the explanation for her departure is unknown, the Mercury have all of it by way of facilities.

Having seen the posh first-hand throughout All-Star weekend, the Mercury opened a $100 million, 58,000-square-foot observe facility again in July. It is actually state-of-the-art and conveniently situated on the Footprint Heart. Having 24/7 entry to the power is unbelievable for the gamers, along with a number of saunas, wellness, and weight rooms. Prime-notch facilities make it simpler for organizations to attract in high-profile free brokers.

The departure of Thomas head coach Stephanie White probably alerts a severe rebuild in Connecticut. Whereas the Solar utilized all their draft picks to amass Mabrina Mabrey mid-season, they’ll now obtain the no. 12 total choose within the 2025 WNBA Draft.

What the commerce means for the Connecticut Solar

In return, the Solar acquires veteran guard/ahead Natasha Cloud and Rebecca Allen in return. Cloud, 32, signed a 2-year $400,000 deal in free company with the Mercury final season. Having spent the primary eight seasons of her profession with the Washington Mystics, Cloud was a member of Washington’s championship group in 2019.

A wonderful two-way participant, Cloud is a present participant for the Phantom in Unequalled. Averaging a profession 8.6 factors, 4.1 rebounds, and 6.9 assists, Cloud joins a really unsure Franchise. With Brionna Jones, DeWanna Bonner, Tiffany Mitchell, and Astou Ndour set to grow to be free brokers, the franchise’s path is up within the air.

As for Allen, she is again in Connecticut after taking part in one lone season for the Solar in 2023. Signing a 2-year $320,000 cope with the Mercury final 12 months, Allen will return to Uncasville but once more. Restricted to 18 video games in 2024 with a hamstring harm, Allen was compelled to withdraw from the Paris Olympic Video games.

Allen, 32, has averaged 6.0 factors, 3.9 rebounds, and 1.1 assists per sport all through her profession. By way of 9 WNBA seasons, the Australian native is a large participant who can shoot properly and defend. It is unclear how Allen will match into the rotation till the Solar forges a whole roster.

Keep tuned for extra WNBA company articles. Click on right here

Sara Jane Gamelli is a full-time Sportswriter, Content material Creator, and Supervisor for Ballislife Bets. She has a give attention to the Girls’s Basketball and the NBA. Sara Jane at present resides within the Connecticut/NYC space along with her Cat and Canine. SJ has her undergraduate diploma in Economics from the College of Connecticut.