This year, the WNBA gave us one of the busiest trade deadlines we’ve seen, even if it was just a three-week period with five trades. But hey, it’s still something to talk about!
It’s nice to have a bit of unpredictability to keep fans engaged without overwhelming them. It kind of feels like a holiday, doesn’t it? Anyway, let’s take a closer look at the trades that went down during the season.
Li Yueru to the Wings of Dallas: A-
Li Yueru is being traded from the Seattle Storm to the Dallas Wings in exchange for a second-round pick in 2026 (with a right to swap for the Connecticut Sun) and a third-round pick in 2027 (with a right to swap for the Indiana Fever).
This was the first in-season trade of the year, initiated by the parties involved. There didn’t seem to be any issues between Li and the Storm, but she wasn’t getting enough playtime. Ultimately, the trade to Dallas provided Li with the opportunity she was seeking. She seems content and, while she may still need to work on some defensive skills, both teams seem to have gotten what they were looking for.
Narissa Smith to Las Vegas Ace: B+
Narissa Smith is being traded from the Dallas Wings to the Las Vegas Aces in exchange for a first-round draft pick in 2027.
One of the season’s most surprising trades occurred in late June when the Wings sent Narissa Smith to the Aces in exchange for that future first-round pick. It’s likely that Las Vegas was evaluating its needs for front court depth, while the Wings, in a rebuilding phase, opted for future picks.
Once a second overall pick in 2022, Smith satisfies the Aces’ need for help alongside A’ja Wilson. The only reason for a B+ instead of a higher score is that Emma Messan would become available later, and if she had chosen the Aces, she would have been an excellent addition.
Minnesota Links to Dihonai Carrington: A+
Dijonai Carrington is being traded from the Dallas Wings to the Minnesota Lynx for Diamond Miller, Carly Samuelson, and a first-round pick in 2027.
This trade marked the start of an exciting deadline period, with the Wings moving Carrington to the Lynx. Under Cheryl Reeve, Carrington is a perfect fit for the team’s defensive strategy, especially after being recognized for her improved play. This transition allows her to thrive without the pressures tied to leading a younger squad.
As for Dallas, they picked up a promising young player in Diamond Miller, although letting go of Carly Samuelson due to injuries was tough. Although they also moved on from Thira Makowan, her court impact wasn’t major since she was behind Li Yueru and Luisa Geiselsöder. All in all, this was a solid exchange for both sides.
Britney Sykes to the Seattle Storm: A-
Britney Sykes is being traded to the Seattle Storm from the Washington Mystics in exchange for Alicia Clark, Zia Cook, and a first-round pick in 2026.
While Washington was a bit of a latecomer to the trading scene, they made a significant move by shipping Sykes to the Storm and bringing back Clark, Cook, and that first-round pick. This trade meant the Mystics lost Zia Cook while relying on the veteran Clark’s experience.
For the Storm, adding Sykes bolsters the guard position, creating options for mixing lineups alongside Skylar Diggins. While Diggins won’t be playing extensive playoff minutes, this acquisition is critical for the team’s depth and could improve their postseason aspirations. While this move might not guarantee a championship run, it certainly enhances their chances.
Aaliyah Edwards to the Connecticut Sun: A
Aaliyah Edwards is being exchanged from the Washington Mystics to the Connecticut Sun for Jacy Sheldon and the right to swap Washington’s 2026 first-round pick (Minnesota) with the 2026 first-round pick (New York).
The final trade before the deadline happened on Thursday, involving Canadian Olympian and UConn alum Aaliyah Edwards. This wasn’t a shock, particularly since the Mystics had been considering trading younger players for some time. Edwards heads to the Sun in Connecticut, somewhat returning to familiar territory.
This trade benefits both sides. Connecticut adds a talented player while Edwards, who had fallen behind in the Washington rotation, finds a new chance. With strong potential, her trade value was good, and Washington seemed wise to act before potentially losing her for nothing if left unprotected in the draft.
If she hadn’t been traded, other teams like Toronto would likely have snatched her up quickly. Meanwhile, Washington now needs to fill the spot left by Sykes with another young talent.
