Seattle Acquires All-Star Brittney Sykes in Trade

The Seattle Storm acquired All-Star guard Brittney Sykes in a trade from the Washington Mystics.

Washington received Alysha Clark, Zia Cooke, and a 2026 first-round draft pick in return for Sykes.

Seattle announced the trade via press release and social media on August 5. In an Instagram post, the franchise displayed Sykes’ highlights with the caption “Coming soon to the Emerald City.”

After the Seattle Storm

Despite Cooke being featured in the trade, the Mystics waived her according to the team’s press release. Clark will return to the Mystics, where she played during the 2022 season.

The three-time champion signed with the Storm during the offseason after two seasons with the Las Vegas Aces. She won two titles with Seattle in 2018 and 2020.

According to ESPN’s Alexa Philippou, sources indicated that the reunion with Clark and Seattle lacked clear expectations. “Clark took less money to sign with the Storm in free agency, where she won championships in 2018 and 2020, but sources said expectations for the team’s performance and her role didn’t pan out as anticipated on either side,” wrote Philoppou.

While it is unclear if Clark will finish her career with the Mystics, she is rejoining a team that is still in the race for the eighth seed. The former 5-foot-11 forward is averaging 3.5 points, 2.4 rebounds, and one assist per game, while shooting a low 29.1 percent from three.

Building the Mystics

Washington is 13-15 on the season and is ninth in league standings. Kiki Iriafen and Sonia Citron have exceeded expectations in their rookie seasons.

Both players were named All-Stars as teammates, which is the second time it’s happened since 1999.

Coupled with Iriafen and Citron, Washington’s fourth-year forward Shakira Austin has bounced back despite past injury. In Spite of trade rumors around Aaliyah Edwards, the No. 6 overall pick by the Mystics in 2024, the team has a promising core.

Not to mention, Georgia Amoore, the No. 6 overall pick by the Mystics in 2025, could return to the team sometime in 2026. The franchise added another first-round pick to their assets and could be in the lottery depending on how this season ends.

Washington addressed the trade in a press release on August 5, with gratitude for Sykes, aka “Slim”. “We’re grateful for Slim’s contributions this season as she played a key role in our growth,” said General Manager Jamila Wideman.

“We’re proud of the individual success she achieved during her time with us, including earning her first All-Star selection. This allows Slim the opportunity to join a team that is expected to contend for a championship this season.”

Sykes is averaging 15.4 points, 3.4 rebounds, 4.4 assists (career-high), and 1.2 steals per game.

Washington Reloaded

Widerman welcomed Clark to the capital and expressed her importance to the franchise. “This was a great opportunity to continue building our program and move us closer to our long-term goals,” said Wideman.

“Alysha brings veteran leadership that is invaluable as our team continues to develop and grow.” Both Seattle and Washington walked away from the trade, inching closer to their goals.

The WNBA trade deadline is at 3:00 p.m. Eastern time on August 7.

Zackery Rogers Zackery Rogers is a sports journalist covering the WNBA and NBA, focusing on breaking news, opinions, trends, and general coverage for Heavy. He has eight years of experience covering the NBA and WNBA, as well as six years of experience covering Women’s College Basketball. Zackery has been featured on the Bleacher Report. He has covered the Washington Mystics and the Philadelphia Eagles. When he is not covering hoops, he is taking photos on his Canon, listening to music, reading a book, or playing NBA 2k. More about Zackery Rogers