ESPN’s Alexa Philippou reported Tuesday that longtime Connecticut Sun All-Star Alyssa Thomas has been traded to the Phoenix Mercury.

Philippou wrote: “Thomas was an unrestricted free agent but the Sun cored her, meaning the only way she could leave the team was to be traded. Thomas also had to sign off on her ultimate trade destination. Because the transaction involves a sign-and-trade, the move can’t be made official until Feb. 1.”

The 6-foot-2 Thomas averaged 10.6 points, 7.9 assists and 8.4 rebounds last year with the Sun.  She is regarded as one of the best defenders and facilitators in the league, establishing herself as one of the top players in the world. She leaves Connecticut, where she had played her entire career, as one of the greatest players in franchise history –  helping the organization to six consecutive semifinal appearances as well as Finals berths in 2019 and 2022.

Thomas finished top-five in MVP voting each of the last three seasons and is also a 2024 Olympian with USA Basketball. She earned six all-defensive team nods in her career and is also the league’s all-time triple-double leader with 11 in the regular season and four more in the postseason.

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