rewrite this content and keep HTML tags
Satou Sabally has been acquired by the Phoenix Mercury through a three-team trade including the Dallas Wings and Indiana Fever, first reported by Kendra Andrews of ESPN. The Mercury receive Sabally, Kalani Brown, and Sevgi Uzun; The Wings receive Tyasha Harris, NaLyssa Smith via Indiana Fever, No. 8 pick via Fever, and the rights to Mikiah Herbert Harrigan; and the Fever receive Sophie Cunningham and the No. 19 pick via Mercury.
Sabally has been one of the hottest free agent names out there since the start of the offseason, especially after she announced during the Unrivaled season her intentions to move on from the Dallas Wings. Sabally, a two-time WNBA All-Star who will be 27 years old in April, will be entering her sixth season in 2025 but her first with a new squad other than the Wings. Sabally’s health has been a constant topic of discussion as she only played one year uninjured out of her five seasons in the league. She only appeared in 15 games during the 2024 season due to having offseason surgery and playing in the Olympics. However, she returned to All-Star form after the league’s midseason break, averaging 17.9 PPG, 6.4 RPG, 5.0 APG and 1.3 SPG through those 15 games.
Sabally is a player that can change the look of a team drastically, not only this season but beyond. She’s called the unicorn for multiple reasons, which notably includes her three-level scoring and aggressiveness on defense. Sabally’s best season to date was 2023, and during this campaign she shifted from her role as a forward to a small forward, opening up her game even more. Whether it was a chase-down block, or clutch-time bucket, Satou’s presence was felt on both ends of the court.
The Phoenix Mercury recently parted ways with 11-year veteran Brittney Griner, as well as Natasha Cloud and Rebecca Allen who were traded to the Connecticut Sun in a package for Alyssa Thomas. While moves are still being made during free agency, a lineup including Sabally, Thomas, Brown, and Kahleah Copper is lethal and high octane. If she can stay healthy, Sabally could have another strong campaign in 2025 as she starts fresh outside of Dallas.
