WNBA: Why are there no major deals at the trade deadline?

The 2024 WNBA trade deadline is Tuesday, Aug. 20.

Throughout much of the league’s history, the deadline has passed without a splash, as the combination of a hard salary cap, roster size limitations, the uncertain value of non-lottery draft picks and the absence of salary matching requirements for trades creates a cocktail factors that make finding, much less executing, equitable exchanges of players and assets difficult.

In fact, this season’s All-Star break swap between the Connecticut Sun and Chicago Sky could prove to be the most consequential midseason trade in nearly a decade, especially if the Sun can, finally, capture the franchise’s first title. The acquisition of Marina Mabrey is an effort to make that ambition a reality, as Connecticut hopes her ability as an isolation scorer can offer an extra dose of offensive juice in the postseason cauldron. The Sky, focused on a present and future that features Angel Reese, Kamilla Cardoso and Chennedy Carter, were willing to sacrifice Mabrey’s star-like services for two players with more narrow roles in sharpshooter Rachel Banham and change-of-pace point guard Moriah Jefferson, along with a future second-round pick.

In late July of 2015, the Minnesota Lynx swung a pair of trades that did help the franchise win its third championship. The Lynx rescued Sylvia Fowles from the Sky in a three-team blockbuster that also included the Atlanta Dream. Six days before that deal, the Lynx also acquired Renee Montgomery from the Seattle Storm. While Montgomery averaged about 10 minutes per game off the bench during Minnesota’s title run, Fowles logged more than 30 minutes per game, averaging 12.6 points, 9.7 rebounds and 1.6 blocks. She also was at her best when it mattered the most; the 2015 Finals MVP helped the Lynx close out the Indiana Fever in Game 5 with a double-double of 20 points and 11 rebounds.

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Since then, in-season trades not only have been infrequent, with one or two in most seasons, but they also have had limited postseason reverberations, even as some became more important in future seasons.

2016: The Phoenix Mercury made a pair of midseason changes that did little to advance their postseason ambitions, but, in future seasons, would benefit their trade partners. The Mercury traded Noelle Quinn to the Storm for Angelica Robinson; Quinn would win a title with the Storm in 2018. Phoenix also traded Courtney Williams and additional assets to the Sun for Kelsey Bone. Williams, then a rookie, would blossom into a key piece for Connecticut.

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2023: Last year, the Fever and Sun celebrated the Fourth of July by exchanging Queen Egbo and Amanda Zahui B.

As the above information illustrates, the WNBA’s in-season trade trajectory is trending toward less, rather than more, consequential moves. One one hand, it’s nice that players’ lives are not being disrupted by midseason moves. On the other, the lack of trade traction means players who could be reinvigorated by a change in scenery are unlikely to benefit from such opportunities. More activity also would increase fan interest and engagement.

Quite possibly, some additional, league-shifting action will occur before Tuesday’s deadline, tilting the title race and inspiring debates over every detail. But in all likelihood, another WNBA trade deadline will pass with little sound or fury.