If you were left confused by all of the trade action across the WNBA on Wednesday, you probably weren't alone. There was a four-team trade, All-Stars on the move and this year’s first overall pick in the draft traded twice in a matter of minutes.
The title contention picture has definitely shifted, and that could be exciting news for fans of Kia Nurse. The 2019 All-Star is on the move, from the rebuilding New York Liberty to a Phoenix Mercury core that is prepped to win now.
The Mercury acquired Nurse as the centerpiece of a trade along with Megan Walker, in exchange for this year's No. 6 pick as well as a 2022 first-rounder.
In Phoenix, Nurse joins Diana Taurasi, an all-time WNBA great who remains one of the game’s elite even at age 38. Taurasi, along with teammate Skylar Diggins-Smith, were named to the All-WNBA Second Team last season, and that’s before talking about their other superstar, Brittney Griner, who returns after leaving the WNBA bubble for personal reasons last season.
The Mercury made it to the second round of the playoffs last year, and Nurse improves their chances for this year. While fans might have been excited to see her form a young core alongside Sabrina Ionescu in New York, she joins Phoenix’s Big Three with the opportunity to take on 3-and-D responsibilities, similar to her role in college.
The WNBA's title favourites will definitely include the defending champion Seattle Storm, as well as the runner-up Las Vegas Aces. The Washington Mystics, who won it all in 2019, will get Elena Delle Donne back after she sat out last year's bubble season, and the Chicago Sky reloaded after winning the Candace Parker sweepstakes in free agency.
It’ll be a competitive scene for sure, but Nurse and the Mercury will have their hat in the ring as well. This could be a really exciting season for Canadian basketball fans to root for one of their own in a potential title run.
