The Chicago Sky trade Marina Mabrey to the Connecticut Sun for Rachel Banham, Moriah Jefferson and a 2025 first round pick. The Sky also get the rights to swap first-round picks in 2026 and the Sun also acquire Chicago’s 2025 second-round pick.
The Sky are currently in last place in the league in 3-pointers made. Banham can help them with that need. Banham was selected No. 4 overall by the Connecticut Sun in the 2016 WNBA Draft. She spent four seasons with the Sun and then four seasons with the Minnesota Lynx before returning to Connecticut in 2024. Banham is mainly a 3-point threat with 69% of her points this season coming from behind the arc. Last year she finished the season with 73.3% of her points being 3-pointers. Banham is averaging 4.8 points per game this year and has never averaged more than 7.9 points in her career. However, she most recently broke the WNBA record for most 3-point shots from a reserve player with eight.
Moriah Jefferson was drafted No. 2 overall in the 2016 WNBA Draft to the San Antonio Stars. She has played with San Antonio turned into Las Vegas, Dallas, Minnesota, Phoenix and Connecticut. Her best season was her rookie campaign when she averaged 13.9 points per game. Due to injuries she has only played in nine games this season and is averaging 2.1 points.
Ultimately the first round draft pick in 2025 is a huge gain for the Sky. The 2025 draft class is full of stars like Paige Bueckers and Kiki Iriafen who have the potential to be franchise players.
However it does make fans question why the Sky would give up their veteran leadership in Mabrey who lead the team in minutes, assists and 3-point makes.
The Sky are currently in 8th place with a 10-14 record. 8 teams make the WNBA playoffs.
Marina Mabrey was drafted No. 19 overall in the 2019 WNBA Draft to the Los Angeles Sparks. She spent one season in L.A. before spending three seasons in Dallas and then 2023 and 2024 in Chicago. Mabrey is averaging 14.0 points per game and a career high 4.9 rebounds and 4.5 assists per game this season. She’s shooting 38.1% from FG range and 34.8% from 3FG range this season. Beyond her scorer’s mentality, Mabrey is known for her strong competitive fire and feisty spirit. She does not back down from altercations on the court and is a strong-willed competitor. She and now teammate DiJonai Carrington actually have a history of trash talking each other.
The Sun also acquired Chicago’s 2025 second-round pick which gives them more draft strength.
The Sun are in 2nd place with an 18-6 record. They are 2.5 games behind the 1st place Liberty.
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