Please enter a search term.
Please enter a search term. xavier nx heatsink
CHICAGO — The WNBA’s Chicago Sky have made a pair of big moves, trading a franchise star and former Finals MVP while bringing back a former top-five draft pick who was also on that WNBA championship team.
The Sun-Times reported Tuesday morning that a league source confirmed the Sky are trading Kahleah Copper to the Phoenix Mercury for a huge package that includes four WNBA Draft picks: No. 3 overall in 2024, two second-rounders in 2025 and the Mercury’s first-round pick in 2026. Additionally, the Sun-Times reports, the Sky will receive forward Michaela Onyenwere and forward Brianna Turner in the deal.
Copper was the 2021 WNBA Finals MVP in leading the Sky to their first championship.
On her Instagram feed, Copper posted: “To my new teammates and coaches, you’re getting all of me. My hunger, my desire, my competitive spirit. Every. Damn. Possession. X-Factor, I can’t wait to be on your side and bring another championship back to The Valley. Let’s get it!”
Also Tuesday morning, the Sky announced they are reuniting with Diamond DeShields, who the team selected No. 3 overall in the 2018 WNBA Draft. She was also part of the 2021 title team.
Per team policy, terms of the agreement with DeShields were not disclosed, but the Sun-Times reports that a WNBA source confirmed the deal is an unprotected one-year contract for $100,000.
It’s a big roster shake-up for the franchise, as Copper departs after seven seasons with the Sky, earning three consecutive All-Star selections from 2021-23. She averaged 17.7 points and 5.9 rebounds per game during the 2021 title run.
DeShields, meanwhile, was selected No. 3 overall by the Sky in 2018, earning All-Rookie Team and AP All-Rookie honors that season.
She followed that up with an All-Star selection in 2019, averaging 16.2 points and 5.5 rebounds per game. She was also the 2019 All-Star Skills champion and an All-WNBA Second-Team pick that season.
Health issues hampered DeShields over the next two seasons. But in 2021, she was a key player in the Sky’s title run.
She was traded to the Phoenix Mercury following that season as part of a three-team deal, then traded again after the 2022 season, to the Dallas Wings. She missed the 2023 season due to a knee injury.
“They say if it’s meant to be, it’ll come back,” DeShields said in a news release by the team. “Well … I’m back!”
DeShields is the daughter of former MLB player Delino DeShields and the younger sister of cMLB player Delino DeShields Jr.
The elder DeShields finished his MLB playing career with the Cubs, batting .236 with five homers, 26 RBI and 22 stolen bases from 2001-02.
Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Get details on the best deals for Amazon’s Big Spring Sale across makeup, skin care, hair care, nail and body care.
Amazon’s Big Spring Sale is live now. Here are some of the deepest discounts of the season.
rock pi 4 heatsink Finding new hair care products can seem like a game of chance. Take some of the guesswork out of the equation by looking at hair oils available at Sephora.