Canada Day and WNBA Trade Talks
So, just a heads up—July 1 marks Canada Day, kind of like Canada’s own Independence Day.
According to ESPN’s Kendra Andrews and Alexa Philippou, the Washington Mystics are currently exploring trades involving Aaliyah Edwards, who is drawing interest from multiple teams.
The Mystics selected Aaliyah Edwards as the sixth overall pick in 2024 after her impressive four years at UConn. Hailing from Kingston, Ontario, she’s a two-time Olympic athlete for Canada and has a promising future as a forward thanks to her speed, shooting skills, and solid footwork.
When they drafted Edwards, the intention was to integrate her into the team’s future plans. With plenty of talent, she has the potential to be a significant player in the WNBA for years. Last season, the Mystics finished with a 14-26 record, but Edwards made a name for herself during the offseason in a high-profile league, advancing to the finals of a one-on-one tournament. She had quite the journey, even knocking out Breanna Stewart but ultimately lost in the finals to Napheesa Collier, though she still earned $50,000.
As the 2025 season arrives, it seemed that Edwards would continue her development within the Mystics. They were set to draft three promising players and had high hopes for her role, despite some unexpected transitions on the team. Kiki Iliafen stepped into the starting lineup due to injury, which caused some changes in expectations. Instead of seeing a decline in Edwards’ performance, it appeared that the team was caught off guard by Iliafen’s readiness for the league.
The idea of trading Edwards isn’t automatically a negative move. With an upcoming expanded draft, the Mystics need to manage their roster effectively. They risk losing Edwards to her hometown team, the Toronto Tempo, if they don’t make a trade. It’s not that they don’t value her; it’s more about the minutes available for development.
Other teams could bolster their frontcourts by acquiring Edwards. She comes packed with international experience and has proven skills in handling physical play, footwork, and outside shooting. Plus, she can defend effectively without racking up fouls, thanks to her size and length.
It would indeed be surprising to see her traded for less than a future first-round pick. The Mystics could also be enticed by younger players, multiple second-round picks, or even role players who might contribute in future seasons. Ideally, they’d want to place her somewhere that could utilize her talents immediately.
As for Edwards, she might find herself on the Tempo next year. If a trade is in the works, the intention would be to ensure she’s protected during the draft. She might want a chance to prove herself, but at the end of the day, what matters most is playing time and contributing in any way she can. There’s plenty of opportunity ahead for her, especially as the Toronto team looks toward future titles.
If I were a WNBA general manager needing depth in the frontcourt, I’d definitely reach out to Washington. Aaliyah Edwards has immense potential—she’s just starting to showcase a well-rounded game. Wherever she ends up, her future looks incredibly bright.
