The Connecticut Sun reported that they have officially added 11-year veteran Alyssa Thomas. WNBA Trading page. This means the five-time All-Star will be given a one-year contract at the WNBA's highest salary ($249,244) — and she will be joining other teams as a free agent this offseason. That means you can't negotiate. However, this move does not necessarily mean Thomas will remain in Connecticut, as WNBA players have requested trades after receiving core picks in the past.
Thomas joins Gabby Williams (Seattle Storm), Kelsey Plum (Las Vegas Aces), Kelsey Mitchell (Indiana Fever), Brianna Stewart (New York Liberty) and Sato Sabally (Dallas Wings). He will be the sixth WNBA star to join the core this winter. .
Thomas was one of the top free agents on the market this winter. She was named to the All-WNBA first team in each of the past two seasons and averaged 10.6 points, 8.4 rebounds, 7.9 assists and 1.6 steals per game last year. She has the highest triple-double record in league history and is also one of the most impactful defenders.
Last season, the Sun finished with a record of 28-12, losing in five games to the Minnesota Lynx in the WNBA semifinals. Four of the five starting pitchers (Thomas, DeWanna Bonner, Breonna Jones and De'Jonai Carrington) were all free agents entering the offseason, and Carrington was the only restricted player among them.
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In addition to core Thomas, the Sun also made a qualifying offer to Carrington. Carrington, the WNBA's Most Improved Player in 2024, was an integral part of the team's success last season, typically guarding the opposing team's top guard and averaging 12.7 points, 5 rebounds and 1.6 steals per night. Recorded. The Sun also made a qualifying offer to reserve player Caitlin Bickle.
It's been an uncertain offseason for the Connecticut Sun, who hired French pro coach Rachid Meziane as their new head coach after Stephanie White left for the Indiana Fever. General manager Morgan Tuck told SB Nation last month that the team took an “open-minded” approach in the offseason.
“We've experienced a lot of change over the past few months, and clearly there's more to come,” Tuck said. “But we're a Connecticut team, and Connecticut is known for having very competitive teams, and really good teams. So it's important to know that and how good we need to be.” I don't think you can avoid expectations about what's going on.''But it takes time. And you have to have some change and set things up. ”
Will Alyssa Thomas return to Connecticut?
Whether the core designation means the Sun intends to keep the big three of Thomas, DeWanna Bonner and Breonna Jones for another season. Jones, 29, has never played for another organization and is coming off a fully healthy season in which he averaged 13.7 points and 5.5 rebounds per game.
Thomas' fiancée, Bonner, is 37 years old and appears to have plenty of fitness left in him and could potentially contribute at a high level for several Championship teams. Bonner averaged 15 points, six rebounds and two assists per game last season and was named an All-Star for the sixth time in his career. Unlike Thomas and Jones, she has already won a WNBA championship.
Both Bonner and Jones could choose to go elsewhere this offseason, and Tuck acknowledged that some free agency decisions are out of the Suns' control.
“There are some players who can pull it off a little more.” [with]and in some places, “Hey, they can choose where to go,'' Tuck said.
Thomas has spent his entire career with the Sun and has expressed his dissatisfaction with the team's lack of amenities on numerous occasions. Connecticut is one of the few teams that does not have its own practice facility and has no plans to build one.
The Suns practice at the Tribal Practice Facility. Mohegan Community and Government Center Located in Uncasville, Connecticut. Teams do not have exclusive access to the facility, and Thomas called the fact that they had to share the court with a toddler's birthday during last spring's playoffs “the ultimate disrespect.”
It's unclear whether Thomas' issues with limited team amenities will deter her from wanting to remain with the organization. She may also be looking for a change of pace, having spent her entire WNBA career thus far in Uncasville. However, it is also very likely that the team will attempt a rematch with the same core as last year. Guards Ty Harris and Marina Mabry will return to the team next season.
“You have to look at the big picture and decide what makes the most sense,” Tuck said. “What will not only help us stay competitive, but also help us in our future.”