WNBA: Marina to Vegas? Arike to Chicago? 3 unlikely-but-fun trades

In-season WNBA trades are a rarity.

With the majority of the league still in contention for postseason play, it’s unlikely that we will see any big moves as we inch closer to this season’s August 7 trade deadline. But what if we did? What moves make sense for teams that are trying to contend for a title?Here are three trades that would be intriguing to see:

Marina Mabrey from the Connecticut Sun to the Las Vegas Aces

The Aces are like an old rock band; you know they don’t have anything new to offer, but when they lean into their hits, it reminds you of a past you were fond of.

For Las Vegas, their Ace is A’ja Wilson. Regardless of how bad things might look, they remain scary as long as she is healthy. The team’s most-recent win is a prime example. Wilson scored 34 points against the red-hot Los Angeles Sparks, ending LA’s five-game win streak and placing Las Vegas over .500.

When you have a generational talent such as Wilson, a franchise must always go all in and try to win as much as possible. As currently constructed, the Aces are failing Wilson. But what if they traded for an elite guard? Is there a player they can acquire that can turn around their season?

Marina Mabrey could be that player for Las Vegas. She’s averaging 14.3 points, 4.3 rebounds and 3.8 assists per game for the Sun. With Connecticut clearly out of playoff contention, perhaps they can be coaxed to give up their top guard after denying her trade request during the offseason.

For a deal to make sense, Las Vegas will have to give up a quality player in return. They could send Chelsea Gray to the Sun and add in their 2026 second-round pick as an extra incentive. Gray is still a good player, but is on the decline. Perhaps Mabrey could boost the Aces, and with the Sun getting her replacement back in the deal, along with draft capital, it’s a way for Connecticut to prepare for the future while cashing in on one of their productive players.

Arike Ogunbowale from the Dallas Wings to the Chicago Sky

While the pairing of Arike Ogunbowale and Paige Bueckers is exciting on paper, it hasn’t materialized into success for Dallas. With Ogunbowale being an unrestricted free agent after this season, this is the last chance the Wings have of getting value from her before she potentially walks away for nothing in the offseason.

The Sky have also been a disappointing team all season and lack a star backcourt player. Ogunbowale’s 16.1 points per game could help fix Chicago’s offensive woes.

For Dallas to agree to a trade, Chicago will have to grease the wheels. If they offer Ariel Atkins and a 2026 first-round pick (while they already traded their original pick, they own the Phoenix Mercury’s 2026 first), that could be enough for the Wings to accept.

If it works for Chicago, they’ll be okay giving away their draft asset. Dallas not only gains an extra pick in a 2026 WNBA Draft class that is expected to be very good, but also could discover a better fit in Atkins, a Dallas native.

Rebecca Allen from the Chicago Sky to the Los Angeles Sparks

This trade isn’t a huge move, but it could help the Sparks significantly. LA is looking to make a playoff push, and they desperately need some offensive production from their bench. Allen could provide that, but the Sky won’t give her up for nothing.

If Los Angeles sends Emma Cannon and the 2026 second-round pick, that should be enough to get Allen to Los Angeles. The move doesn’t necessarily make the Sky better, but it gives them another crack at some young talent in the upcoming draft.