Natasha Cloud requested a deal from the Connecticut Sun after trading there in early February. Athletic It has been reported on tuesday. A fresh elite two-way guard from his strong season with Phoenix Mercury, Cloud landed in Connecticut on a blockbuster trade that sent Alyssa Thomas to Phoenix.
Cloud, one WNBAPhoenix last season has a Premier Guard defender averaged 11.5 points, 6.9 assists, 4.1 rebounds and 1.4 steel. She signed Mercury's final offseason, planning to retire after spending her first eight years as a Washington mystic.
“It was really tough for me to be able to get my family uprooted on the West Coast and retire as Phoenix mercury and then they'll ship with you guys and look it up, which was really tough for me.
Cloud had not published any trade requests, but she said the move to Connecticut wasn't what she expected.
“I want the best situation for myself and my family to move forward,” she said. “And I just want to be an organization that truly invests in facilities, teams, locations, etc. from top to bottom. I want to compete in the championship.”
Marina Mabry also requested a deal from the Sun this offseason
Cloud is not the first solar player to request a deal this offseason. Marina Mabry, who traded to Connecticut in July, also called for trade. San's President Jen Rizzotti said Eric Jackson from Sportico Last month, he said that Mabrey's request would be denied.
In a follow-up to her first statement to Sportico, Rizzotti I told ESPN The organization determined that “not only did we give up to get her, but it wasn't our greatest interest to move her because it was worth putting on her.”
Although Cloud's saga has not been deployed publicly, her reported requests mean that both the estimated Connecticut backcourt starters have asked for over the next season. Alongside Cloud and Mabry, the Sun is signing the next WNBA players next season: Tina Charles, Diamond Desildos, Jacee Sheldon, Mia Holling Shed, Yvonne Anderson, Olivia Nelson Doda, Lindsay Allen, Cait Lindbickle, Robin Parks, and Haley Peters. They also have many incoming rookies that will be cut after training camp: Leila Lacan, Kaliata Davy, Camilla Borkowska, Amy Oconco, Abby Hussou.
Connecticut is in a strange place this offseason. They have lost all five starters since last season. Alyssa Thomas and Ty Harris traded with Phoenix Mercury (later Harris traded with the Dallas wing). Dihony Carringtonthe person who was a restricted free agent was exchanged for wings in exchange for rookies. Jay Sheldon (The Taiyo also received the pick of the 2025 No. 8 pick). Dewanna Bonner, a free agent, signed with Indiana Fever, with another free agent, Bryonna Jones, signing with the Atlanta Dream. Veronica Burton was selected in the expanded draft by Golden State Valkyries.
Still, the franchise wants to remain competitive next season. That's likely the majority of reasons why Connecticut doesn't want to trade Mabray or Cloud.
In December, before free agency left, general manager Morgan Tuck told SB Nation that he wanted to prioritize the franchise to stay competitive.
“There have been a lot of changes in the past few months and obviously there have been more changes,” Tuck said. “But we are a Connecticut team and Connecticut is known for having a really competitive team and a really good team, so I don't think we can avoid what we need and what we expect.”
