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It’s official. Alyssa Thomas is bringing the engine to the valley and it’s an end of an era Connecticut.
Thomas, 32, has spent all 11 seasons with the Connecticut Sun. Today, ESPN’s Alexa Philippou first reported the Phoenix Mercury will acquire Alyssa Thomas and Ty Harris from the Connecticut Sun, in exchange for Natasha Cloud, Rebecca Allen, and the No. 12 overall pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft.
A 5x WNBA All-Star, Thomas has undoubtedly been a Connecticut Sun loyal and fan favorite. A 2024 Olympic Gold Medalist, things are about to get hotter in Phoenix.
And Alyssa Thomas closes out the third quarter in pure AT fashion, with a drive to the BASKET!Sun lead the Lynx 68-63! pic.twitter.com/B4FM5t9tlJ
— Sara Jane Gamelli (@SaraJGamelli) October 6, 2024
Drafted No. 4 overall by the New York Liberty in the 2014 WNBA Draft, Thomas was quickly shipped to the Sun. Under head coaches Anne Donovan, Curt Miller, and Stephanie White, Thomas led the franchise to eight consecutive playoff appearances, including two WNBA Finals. One of the most decorated Sun players of all time, Thomas led Connecticut to six straight semi-finals.
While Thomas and the Sun ultimately conceded to the Washington Mystics and Las Vegas Aces in the Finals, the former Maryland star was a monumental piece to the Sun’s incredible run. As part of one of the best teams in the WNBA, Connecticut simply couldn’t get over the hump.
Alyssa Thomas has spent her entire career in Connecticut
Although a bittersweet day, Thomas departs Connecticut as the franchise’s leader in several categories. Thomas, Connecticut’s all-time leader in rebounds, field goals, assists, defensive win shares, free-throws, and steals, has forever impacted Uncasville and the fans. In 11 seasons, AT averaged 12.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, 4.6 assists, and 1.6 steals.
The move doesn’t come as much of a surprise after Connecticut extended a Core qualifying offer to Thomas on January 17. A player can be offered a one-year super max contract when this happens. It also means the only way Thomas could depart would be by trade. Similar to franchise tags in the NFL, Thomas has to sign off on the trade.
Following the recent loss of Brittney Griner to Atlanta, Thomas joins an interesting roster. Since it’s a sign-in and trade, the deal won’t be officially announced until February 1( The Next). With Diana Taurasi a free agent, there’s been no word of an official retirement. Thomas now joins Kahleah Copper as Phoenix’s leading 1-2 punch in the backcourt.
What the trade means for the Phoenix Mercury
DeWanner receiving some warm gestures in her return to Phoenix AND accompanied by fiance Alyssa Thomas #WNBAAllStar pic.twitter.com/u5cjq8eOpM
— Sara Jane Gamelli (@SaraJGamelli) July 20, 2024
Now, Phoenix has a real one, coming from a Connecticut native. Not only is Thomas a leader, but she was also the catalyst behind both sides of the ball. An explosive player who can get downhill, no one possesses more tenacity and firepower than AT. The WNBA’s all-time triple-double leader, there’s no player quite like Alyssa Thomas. She brings much needed skill, defense, grit, and star power to win a championship in the valley.
With the trade comes a unique scenario. If you didn’t know, former Sun teammate and fiancé DeWanna Bonner is set to become a free agent. Having spent the last five years of her career with Connecticut, Bonner spent the first 10 years of her WNBA career with the Mercury. A 2x WNBA Champion with Phoenix, it will be interesting if Bonner finishes up her career in Phoenix.
This is a total win for Phoenix, who will acquire sharpshooter Ty Harris in the trade. Having spent the last two seasons with the Connecticut Sun, Harris quickly emerged as a hero, especially in the playoffs. An integral part of the Sun’s playoff run against the Lynx, we can’t forget that 20-point performance in game three vs Minnesota. Harris averaged 10.5 points, 1.8 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 1.0 steals in her first year as a full-time starter. Shooting 39.4 % from three-point, Harris brings much needed offense to the Mercury.
Thomas has been transparent about Connecticut’s lack of facilities
In the offseason, Alyssa Thomas has been transparent and vocal about the lack of amenities that the Connecticut Sun offers. Just a few weeks ago, the point forward spoke to the Unrivaled media, signaling there might be a reason for the change.
I’m focused on Unrivaled right now, “Thomas told the media on January 9. They have everything you possibly need here. They don’t really have a lot of those things in Connecticut. It’s been trying to absorb as much knowledge as I can.”
Several players, such as Thomas, have witnessed what Unrivaled offers in South Beach. With state-of-the-art equipment and facilities, Unrivaled has everything and then some. The Connecticut Sun has long lacked the proper facilities needed to maintain stars. Although the reason for her departure is unknown, the Mercury have it all in terms of amenities.
Having seen the luxury first-hand during All-Star weekend, the Mercury opened a $100 million, 58,000-square-foot practice facility back in July. It’s truly state-of-the-art and conveniently located at the Footprint Center. Having 24/7 access to the facility is incredible for the players, in addition to several saunas, wellness, and weight rooms. Top-notch amenities make it easier for organizations to draw in high-profile free agents.
The departure of Thomas head coach Stephanie White likely signals a serious rebuild in Connecticut. While the Sun utilized all their draft picks to acquire Mabrina Mabrey mid-season, they will now receive the no. 12 overall pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft.
What the trade means for the Connecticut Sun
In return, the Sun acquires veteran guard/forward Natasha Cloud and Rebecca Allen in return. Cloud, 32, signed a 2-year $400,000 deal in free agency with the Mercury last season. Having spent the first eight seasons of her career with the Washington Mystics, Cloud was a member of Washington’s championship team in 2019.
An excellent two-way player, Cloud is a current player for the Phantom in Unrivaled. Averaging a career 8.6 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 6.9 assists, Cloud joins a very uncertain Franchise. With Brionna Jones, DeWanna Bonner, Tiffany Mitchell, and Astou Ndour set to become free agents, the franchise’s direction is up in the air.
As for Allen, she is back in Connecticut after playing one lone season for the Sun in 2023. Signing a 2-year $320,000 deal with the Mercury last year, Allen will return to Uncasville yet again. Limited to 18 games in 2024 with a hamstring injury, Allen was forced to withdraw from the Paris Olympic Games.
Allen, 32, has averaged 6.0 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 1.1 assists per game throughout her career. Through nine WNBA seasons, the Australian native is a sizable player who can shoot well and defend. It’s unclear how Allen will fit into the rotation until the Sun forges a complete roster.
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Sara Jane Gamelli is a full-time Sportswriter, Content Creator, and Manager for Ballislife Bets. She has a focus on the Women’s Basketball and the NBA. Sara Jane currently resides in the Connecticut/NYC area with her Cat and Dog. SJ has her undergraduate degree in Economics from the University of Connecticut.
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