Kahleah Copper revealed the simple reason why she asked to move on from the Chicago Sky

Here’s why Kahleah Copper being traded to the Phoenix Mercury wasn’t as puzzling as you think.

Life with the Phoenix Mercury is different for Kahleah Copper. Her mid-free-agency trade was not something she ever imagined, but the chance to elevate was too good to pass up.

Kahleah Cooper spent seven seasons with the Chicago Sky before her February 6 trade to the Phoenix Mercury uprooted her foundation. However, according to Josh Weinfuss of ESPN, during a recent media session, Kahleah revealed that after seeing how Chicago approached free agency, she asked for a trade for the chance to compete and to do what was best for her.

Copper explained that she was happy with the decision to move on. “I’m just glad that we were able to come to an agreement and both come out in a win-win situation,” she said. ” I think it was what’s best.”

Kahleah also shared that having access to top facilities – a common theme from WNBA free agency – was a significant draw in her decision. Here’s what she said about the importance of investing in women:

“I think it’s important to invest in women. Invest in women and you see the results that come out of it. People want to play there. People want to come and be a part of something special like that. But, like I said, that’s something I’ve never experienced. So, seeing those plans and seeing what’s in the works, I’m excited to be able to be there.”

Chicago Sky trade Kahleah Copper, sign Diamond DeShields

The Sky won a WNBA championship in 2021, but are rebuilding after former head coach, James Wade, left in the middle of last season.

The Chicago Sky won a WNBA championship in 2021, but are currently rebuilding after former head coach, James Wade, left the team in the middle of the 2023 season.

This rebuild entails trades, signings and a splash in free agency.

On Monday, the Sky announced they signed guard Diamond DeShields, who was drafted by the Sky with the third overall selection in the 2018 WNBA draft. DeShields spent four seasons with the Sky and averaged 13.2 points, 4.3 rebounds and 2.2 assists in 113 total games. DeShields played for the Phoenix Mercury in 2022 and sat out last year with the Dallas Wings due to injury.

“We are very excited to bring Diamond back to Chicago and cannot wait to see her on the court again this season,” Sky general manager Jeff Pagliocca said. “She is an all-around dynamic player with incredible athletic abilities and championship experience that can add to our roster in a Sky uniform once again.”

Rebuilding a team often comes with sacrifice, and the Sky announced on Tuesday they were executing trades. The Sky acquired Michaela Onyenwere, Brianna Turner, the third pick this year, a 2026 first-round pick, a 2025 second-round pick and the rights to swap 2026 second-round picks from the Mercury. In exchange, the Mercury welcomed Kahleah Copper and Morgan Bertsch to their roster.

The Sky tip off the 2024 regular season on May 15 against the Wings.

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Kahleah Copper trade grade: Who won the deal between Chicago Sky and Phoenix Mercury?

Kahleah Copper switching teams is a bold move, and the WNBA should be on notice.

Kahleah Copper was supposed to be part of the Chicago Sky’s future. Now, just five months after signing an extension and four months after participating in an introductory press conference for new head coach Teresa Weatherspoon, Copper has been traded.

Copper and Morgan Bertsch are reportedly headed to the Phoenix Mercury in exchange for forwards Michaela Onyenwere and Brianna Turner and four draft picks, including the No. 3 pick in the 2024 draft.

The move is a bit of a shock, considering the Sky won a championship in 2021, made the playoffs in 2022 and 2023 and still had several pieces to compete for another ring prior to free agency.

Let’s do a deep dive on the trade.

Phoenix Mercury add two new assistant coaches to Nate Tibbetts’ staff

Megan Vogel and Michael Joiner were added to head coach Nate Tibbetts’ staff this offseason.

The Phoenix Mercury announced the hiring of two new assistant coaches to the staff. Megan Vogel and Michael Joiner were added to head coach Nate Tibbetts’ staff this offseason.

Vogel joins from the University of Wisconsin Green Bay, where she coached for 11 seasons. During her time there, the team qualified for four NCAA Tournament appearances, six Horizon League regular-season titles and four Horizon League Tournament titles. She also held various other coaching positions since 2009 and was a South Dakota State University player from 2003-07. She was drafted 19th overall by the Washington Mystics in the 2007 WNBA draft.

Joiner was an assistant coach for the NBA G League’s Memphis Hustle since 2019. Previously, he was a four-year starter at Florida State and then played four seasons professionally in the G League, which included two seasons playing under Tibbetts. He additionally played 10 seasons internationally in North America, Asia, Australia and Europe.

The Mercury’s first game of the 2024 WNBA season will be on the road against the Las Vegas Aces on May 14.

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Fever snag top pick in 2024 WNBA draft for second straight year

By missing the 2023 WNBA playoffs, Indiana, Los Angeles, Phoenix and Seattle qualified for the 2024 draft lottery.

On Sunday, the Indiana Fever won the 2024 WNBA draft lottery and will have the first overall pick in the 2024 WNBA draft held on Monday, April 15, 2024.

This is the second consecutive year the Fever will pick first in the draft.

The Fever selected South Carolina’s Aliyah Boston in the 2023 WNBA draft, who then went on to be voted the WNBA Rookie of the Year. The other three teams who participated in the lottery were the Los Angeles Sparks, who will have the second selection; the Phoenix Mercury, who will select third; and the Seattle Storm, who will select fourth.

By missing the 2023 WNBA playoffs, Indiana, Los Angeles, Phoenix and Seattle qualified for the 2024 draft lottery.

The selection order for the remainder of the first, second and third rounds is determined by inverse order of the teams’ respective 2023 regular season records, taking into account trades and negotiations that might have affected draft order.

The remaining first-round draft order (based on 2023 record):           

5. Dallas from Chicago (18-22)

6. Washington (19-21)

7. Minnesota (19-21)

8. Atlanta (19-21)

9. Dallas (22-18)

10. Connecticut (27-13)

11. New York (32-8)

12. Los Angeles from Las Vegas (34-6)

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Fever, Sparks, Mercury and Storm will vie for No. 1 overall WNBA draft pick

The Fever will have the most chances to land the top pick and are guaranteed at least the third pick.

The 23rd annual WNBA draft lottery will be broadcast on Dec. 10 at 4:30 p.m. ET. The Indiana Fever, Los Angeles Sparks, Phoenix Mercury and Seattle Storm will vie for the No. 1 overall WNBA draft pick.

The Fever secured the top spot in the 2023 draft and selected Aliyah Boston No. 1 overall. Boston was unanimously named the 2023 WNBA Rookie of the Year and received all 60 votes from a national panel of sportswriters and broadcasters.

The 2024 draft is currently scheduled to take place on April 15, 2024. Lottery odds are based on the cumulative records of the two most recent regular seasons (2022 and 2023). The Fever will have the most chances to land the top pick and are guaranteed at least the third pick. Phoenix has the next highest likelihood of winning the No. 1 spot, followed by the Sparks and Storm.

The order of selection for the remainder of the first round, second round and third round is determined by inverse order of the teams’ respective 2023 regular season records, taking into account trades and negotiations that might have affected draft order.

The remaining first-round draft order (based on 2023 record):           

5. Dallas from Chicago (18-22)

6. Washington (19-21)

7. Minnesota (19-21)

8. Atlanta (19-21)

9. Dallas (22-18)

10. Connecticut (27-13)

11. New York (32-8)

12. Los Angeles from Las Vegas (34-6)

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WNBA Sportsmanship and Community Assist awards announced

The league announced the recipients of the 2023 Kim Perrot Sportsmanship Award and the season-long WNBA Cares Community Assist Award.

With the conclusion of the WNBA season, the league announced the recipients of the 2023 Kim Perrot Sportsmanship Award and the season-long WNBA Cares Community Assist Award. Phoenix Mercury center Brittney Griner took home the Community Assist Award for her extensive work in championing the safe return of wrongful detainees overseas and helping marginalized communities in Phoenix.

“I’m grateful to receive this recognition from the WNBA but even more grateful to the X-factor fans, fans all around the league and our Phoenix Mercury organization for working together this year to make a difference through my Heart and Sole Shoe Drive and Bring Our Families Home,” said Griner. “I know the opportunity, privilege and responsibility I have to make a difference in the lives of others, and I’ll always remain committed to that.”

The WNBA will donate $20,000 to be split among charities of Griner’s choice, which include Bring Our Families Home and the Phoenix Rescue Mission.

The WNBA also recently announced that Chicago Sky center Elizabeth Williams has been named the recipient of the 2023 Kim Perrot Sportsmanship Award. The award is “presented each season to a player who exemplifies the ideals of sportsmanship on the court, including ethical behavior, fair play and integrity.”

“I’m extremely humbled to be named this year’s recipient of the Kim Perrot Sportsmanship Award,” said Williams. “Kim displayed the highest level of respect for the game with her competitive nature and willingness to impact her local community as well. Her spirit lives on, and I’m grateful to share this honor with past recipients like Sylvia Fowles, Nneka Ogwumike, Swin Cash, and many others. All of these women demonstrated high levels of resilience, leadership, and sportsmanship on and off the court. It is truly an honor.”

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WNBA fans have questions about the Phoenix Mercury hiring a coach straight from the NBA

WNBA fans are fired up.

News of the Phoenix Mercury hiring a new head coach has left WNBA fans stunned and with many burning questions.

Mat Ishbia, owner of the Phoenix Suns and Phoenix Mercury, has been making some strategic moves. Per Kevin Reagan of 12 News, the Mercury announced plans earlier this month to build a $100M campus with a new practice facility to be jointly shared with the Suns.

Now, Ishbia’s latest decision has sent shockwaves through WNBA circles. Per ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, Orlando Magic assistant Nate Tibbetts is finalizing a deal to become the Mercury’s new head coach.

Tibbets, who has spent the last 13 seasons in the NBA, is in line to become the highest-paid coach in WNBA history.

However, without experience coaching women’s basketball at collegiate or professional levels, Tibbetts’ new job puzzled WNBA fans.

Putting green to be part of $100 million practice facility for Phoenix Suns, Phoenix Mercury

It’s the list of amenities that will really make the place unique.

New Phoenix Suns and Phoenix Mercury owner Mat Ishbia announced plans for a state-of-the-art campus for his two pro basketball teams with 24-7 access for players and coaches to two practice courts with 10 baskets.

It’s the list of amenities, though, that will really make the place unique.

There will be expansive locker rooms with state-of-the-art technology, a dedicated chef and kitchen, film, fitness and massage rooms with hydrotherapy including hot and cold pools and underwater treadmills and a player and family lounge.

The business areas for the front office staff will include indoor and outdoor basketball courts, an indoor arcade, a pickleball court, a workout facility, a kitchen filled with complimentary beverages and snacks, and yes, a putting green.

The expected cost of the entire project: $100 million. Ishbia, who made his riches as CEO of United Wholesale Mortgage, will foot the bill.

The plan is to have this new campus, to be located three blocks from the team’s home arena in downtown Phoenix, up and running by next spring.

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Arike Ogunbowale leads Wings to most wins for a single season in team history

The Wings picked up their 19th win of the season, the most they’ve had in a single season since moving to Dallas in 2016.

On Sunday, the Dallas Wings eliminated the Phoenix Mercury from playoff contention with their 77-74 win on the road. This was the Wings’ 19th win of the season, the most they’ve had in a single season since moving to Dallas in 2016.

Dallas’ Arike Ogunbowale led the team in scoring with 29 points, which included four 3-pointers. Earlier this season, Dallas head coach Latricia Trammell mentioned that Ogunbowale is the leader of the team and is ready for the challenge. With performances like this, Ogunbowale is proving her coach correct.

After the win, coach Trammell shared her thoughts on the 19-win milestone.

“The great team that I have, every one of those players in that locker room has been a major factor in some way,” said Trammell when asked how she got the team to 19 wins. “I think the buy-in, the will to win, the love for one another, the connection they have – I have to give them all the credit because they’re the ones sacrificing. These young ladies have done a lot to get us in this position.”

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