Mercury Acquire Kahleah Copper From Sky For Draft Picks, Onyenwere And Turner – News18

The Phoenix Mercury acquired 2021 Finals MVP Kahleah Copper from the Chicago Sky for 4 draft picks, together with the No. 3 alternative this yr.

Chicago additionally will obtain Michaela Onyenwere and Brianna Turner from the Mercury.

“To my new teammates and coaches: you’re getting all of me,” Copper stated on Instagram on Tuesday. “My hunger, my desire, my competitive spirit. Every. Damn. Possession.”

Copper had agreed to a two-yr extension with Chicago final September and solidified herself because the centerpiece of the group. She averaged 12 factors, 3.6 rebounds and 1.4 assists throughout her seven seasons with the Sky, together with a profession-finest 18.7 final yr.

“The opportunity to add a player of Kahleah’s caliber in the prime of her career is rare,” Mercury common supervisor Nick U’Ren stated. “She is one of the most dynamic and athletic players in our league, with a true knack for scoring the ball. She is also a fierce competitor, proven champion and the ultimate two-way player, who can disrupt the game on the defensive end with her length and activity.”

The 29-yr-previous guard was stellar the previous three seasons, together with throughout the Sky’s championship run in 2021 when she averaged 17.7 factors and 5.9 rebounds on the way in which to incomes the Finals MVP.

The Mercury may also give Chicago it’s first spherical decide in 2026 and ship again the 2025 second-spherical decide that the Sky had given to Phoenix in an earlier commerce. Chicago can also be sending Morgan Bertsch to the Mercury.

Turner spent 5 seasons in Phoenix, showing in 158 video games and incomes All-Defensive first-group choices in 2020 and 2021. Onyenwere, who was the league’s Rookie of the Year in 2021, was acquired by Phoenix final season. She averaged 8.9 factors and three.7 rebounds final season.

It’s been an aggressive offseason for Phoenix as they attempt to add to the dynamic duo of Brittney Griner and Diana Taurasi, who’s within the last yr of her contract. The Mercury added Natasha Cloud as a free agent after which acquired Rebecca Allen in an indication-and-commerce cope with the Connecticut Sun over the weekend.

The Sky introduced again guard Diamond DeShields, who performed her first 4 seasons with the group earlier than going to Phoenix in 2022. She sat out final season due to damage.

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WNBA: https://apnews.com/hub/wnba-basketball

(This story has not been edited by News18 workers and is revealed from a syndicated information company feed – Associated Press)