The Connecticut Sun are loading up for the stretch run.
The franchise reportedly landed veteran guard Marina Mabrey and a 2025 second-round pick in a trade with the Chicago Sky in exchange for Moriah Jefferson, Rachel Banham, a 2025 first-round pick and the right to swap first-round picks in 2026 on Wednesday.
Mabrey is averaging 14 points, 4.9 rebounds and 4.5 assists on 38.1 percent shooting this season, adding a much-needed offensive presence to the Sun’s lineup.
The Sun are sitting at 18-6 at the All-Star/Olympics break, the second-best record in the WNBA.
Connecticut is looking to get over the hump after making at least the second round in each of the past seven seasons without a championship.
“We are extremely excited to welcome Marina Mabrey to the Connecticut Sun. She is a player that we feel will give us the extra edge to compete for a championship this year,” Sun general manager Darius Taylor said in a press release. “She brings a competitive spirit and scorer’s mentality along with an ability to make big plays.
“I believe Stephanie [White] and her staff will be able to utilize Marina in many ways as we start the second half of our season and continue our quest for our first title.”
The trade is a bit of a rebuilding move for the Sky, who are 10-14 at the break after drafting Angel Reese with the No. 7 overall pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft.
Banham, the fourth overall pick in the 2016 draft, is averaging 4.9 points in 13 minutes per game this season.
While, Jefferson has been limited to just nine games this season with a knee injury, averaging 2.1 points in 6.8 minutes per game.
“Marina has made a significant impact over the past two seasons with the Sky behind her scoring ability, playmaking, competitiveness and commitment to the community,” Sky general manager Jeff Pagliocca said in a statement. “We appreciate all of her contributions to the organization and wish her continued success in the league.”
The deal marks a rare in-season move in the WNBA.
The Athletic reported that there’s been just one midseason trade featuring players who took the court for their new teams that year over the past five seasons.