Major moves shake up WNBA
The WNBA has completely flipped itself upside down in the past two weeks, with dozens of players, including multiple All Stars, changing teams. In early January, Seattle Storm six-time All Star Jewell Loyd requested a trade from the team she spent the first 10 seasons of her career with. On Jan. 26, Loyd was traded to the Las Vegas Aces to team up with reigning WNBA MVP A’ja Wilson. The Aces sent three-time All Star Kelsey Plum to the Los Angeles Sparks, and the Sparks sent the second overall pick in the draft to Seattle.
The Connecticut Sun traded their entire starting five from last season in the period of one week, including moving perennial MVP candidate Alyssa Thomas to the Phoenix Mercury. Three-time All Star Brionna Jones moved from the Sun to the Atlanta Dream, DiJonai Carrington was traded to the Dallas Wing, Rebecca Allen was traded to the Chicago Sky and DeWonna Bonner joined Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever.
Additional major moves included two-time All Star Satou Sabally being traded from the Wings to the Mercury in a move that sent Sophie Cunningham to Chicago, Courtney Vandersloot returning to the Sky after two years with the New York Liberty and nine-time All Star Brittney Griner moving on from the Mercury and joining the Dream.
NBA trade season heats up
In a similar fashion to the WNBA, the NBA has already seen major moves prior to Thursday afternoon’s trade deadline. In addition to the blockbuster Luka Donĉić trade that sent Anthony Davis to the Dallas Mavericks, All Star De’Aaron Fox was traded to the San Antonio Spurs in a move that sent Zach LaVine to the Sacramento Kings and an array of players and draft picks to the Chicago Bulls.
The trade sets San Antonio up with a core of Fox and superstar Victor Wembanyama for years to come, and keeps Sacramento in playoff contention despite losing their best player. The mega trade comes exactly one week after Fox requested a trade from the Kings, the organization that drafted him eight years ago.
Jimmy Butler was also granted his long anticipated trade away from the Miami Heat after agreeing to a two-year, $121 million extension with the Golden State Warriors. In exchange, Miami received Andrew Wiggins, Dennis Schroder, Kyle Anderson, and a protected first-round pick. Butler publicly requested a trade from Miami seven weeks ago, and general manager Pat Riley intermittently issued suspensions for Butler throughout the period of the trade request.
Other players who could potentially be moved include Philadelphia 76ers All Star Paul George, Suns megastar Kevin Durant, Golden State Warriors up-and-comer Jonathan Kuminga and the Brooklyn Nets’ Cameron Johnson.
Pete Alonso saga end with contract
In what has already been a tumultuous offseason for the New York Mets, which included signing star Juan Soto to a massive $765 million contract, the drama continued two weeks ago after the Mets’ annual Fan Fest. At the event, Mets owner Steve Cohen said “Personally, this has been an exhausting conversation and negotiation. [Juan] Soto was tough, this is worse,” when discussing Alonso’s contract progress.
At Fan Fest, Cohen was met with “We want Pete” chants from fans, though his comments did not make the prospect of re-signing the 30-year-old sound likely at the time. Cohen continued his comments saying “And so I will never say ‘no’ — there’s always a possibility — but the reality is, we’re moving forward.”
On Wednesday evening, the Mets finally agreed to a deal with Alonso. ESPN insider Jeff Passan broke the news, reporting the deal being for two years with a player option after the first season. Alonso will make $30 million in 2025. The slugger is just 26 home runs away from becoming the franchise’s all-time leader in that category.
wjackso2@ramapo.edu
Featured photo courtesy of @jimmybutler, Instagram
