WNBA free agency has officially hit fabric-altering levels. Satou Sabally’s trade to the Phoenix Mercury is the third massive swap within the last week.
First, Kelsey Plum and Jewell Loyd were moved, and then Alyssa Thomas went to Phoenix. Most people might have assumed that it couldn’t get wilder than that, but clearly, the Mercury were not playing around. They’ve reportedly been targeting Satou since last year, and now they have their player.
The Dallas Wings cored Sabally earlier this offseason, meaning any efforts to move her had to be with a sign-and-trade. Additionally, she would have to approve the new destination.
The deal marks the end of Sabally’s five-year stint in Dallas, which included two WNBA All-Star nods, All-WNBA First Team honors and a WNBA Most Improved Player award in 2023.
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Trade details:
The Mercury get: Forward Satou Sabally, center Kalani Brown, guard Sevgi Uzun
The Wings get: Guard Ty Harris, Forward NaLyssa Smith, the rights to forward Mikiah Herbert Harrigan and the No. 8 pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft
The Fever get: Guard/Forward Sophie Cunningham and the No. 19 pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft
Phoenix Mercury grade
When reports dropped that Phoenix was meeting with Satou, I wondered how they would make this work. They had just traded for Alyssa Thomas and Ty Harris and moved Natasha Cloud, Rebecca Allen and the No.12 pick to Connecticut. That’s a lot to give up.
However, they had a long-term vision in mind, and to make it happen, they had to get a little crafty. Here’s the high-level nuts and bolts of how this works out.
Ty Harris, who had just come over with Thomas, returns to Dallas where she started her career. Sophie Cunningham goes to Indiana. So, if you’re keeping up with the moves of the last week, the Mercury’s starting lineup dramatically shifted in the blink of an eye by *technically* only giving up a draft pick.
- Old lineup:
Natasha Cloud
Diana Taurasi
Kahleah Copper
Sophie Cunningham
Brittney Griner - New lineup:
Diana Taurasi (?)
Kahleah Copper
Satou Sabally
Alyssa Thomas
Kalani Brown
The new-look Phoenix Mercury involves franchise staples Kahleah Copper, Alyssa Thomas and *checks notes* Satou Sabally. WHEW.
That’s one heck of a turnaround.
Truthfully, letting go of Sophie Cunningham was probably rough. Sophie’s a bigger guard who could play the three or four in a lineup as needed. Phoenix has spent time developing her into a reliable starter.
But getting Sabally in return probably made this a lot easier to digest. Despite only playing 15 games last season due to injury, Satou cranked out similar production to her best year as a pro. She averaged nearly 17.9 points, 6.4 rebounds, and five assists a game. Not to mention, Satou’s been cooking down in Unrivaled after a slow start in Miami, showing that she’s still “the Unicorn.”
Kalani Brown was Teaira McCowan’s backup in Dallas, but she should do well in the Mercury’s lineup. Her height, length and production, combined with McCowan’s, made the Wings tough to defend in the paint.
Finally, after all those moves, there’s only one question everyone is seemingly waiting to see answered:
When is DeWanna Bonner joining the party?
Trade grade: A-
Dallas Wings grade
If you know a Wings fan, they might need a moment. All of these franchise shifts might be a lot to take in.
There’s a new general manager and a new head coach; Satou is gone and Natasha Howard signed with the Fever. OOF.
But it’s not all bad. Ty Harris is back, and she came with friends — Texas native NaLyssa Smith and another top-ten draft pick. Landing NaLyssa comes with a few questions: What happened in Indy? Can she still be productive?
If you’ve been paying close attention, things with NaLyssa and the Fever seemed strained. There were complaints about lack of playing time, and then she was in and out of the starting lineup later in the season in favor of Temi Fagbenle.
The former No. 2 overall draft pick also had a down year in 2024, well below the 15 points and nine rebounds she averaged in 2023. Smith has a chance for a fresh start.
With Dallas now owning two top-10 draft picks, I would not be shocked to see them add some help at the center position, especially after losing Kalani Brown.
Ideally, if you’re drafting that high, you want that player to start, but I wouldn’t be upset about adding someone who could back up McCowan now and eventually be a starter. Keep an eye on UCLA Bruins center Lauren Betts or TCU’s Sedona Prince.
Trade grade: B+
Indiana Fever grade
Alright, Fever. I’m trying to follow the logic, but I’m struggling.
You moved NaLyssa Smith and also lost a top-10 draft pick. In return, you got *checks notes* Sophie Cunningham and are seemingly okay with pick No. 19.
WHAT.
I understand feeling like you need to move on from Smith, but losing the No. 8 pick makes me sick, and it’s not even my pick. Sure. Any player drafted that high is seemingly expected to start, and maybe you felt like they wouldn’t do that in your rotation. So, you moved back.
But a top-10 draft pick? IN THIS ECONOMY?!
Nope. I do not like it. It’s a zero-out-of-10 for me—half a star.
You’re still rebuilding and could use the help. After winning 20 games last season, it’s clear that you are elevating, and you might not be back in such a position unless you get on the phone to cook something up and give up more.
Now, let’s talk about Sophie Cunningham. Is Sophie going to start over Lexie Hull? Is she backing up Natasha Howard? I’m genuinely perplexed by her fit in this starting lineup.
Maybe some of these answers will get worked out in training camp and over time, but I’m scratching my head right now. I’ll be curious to see how the offense operates under new head coach Stephanie White.
I’m side-eyeing you, Fever.
Trade grade: C
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