The Phoenix Mercury have made yet another offseason splash.
Phoenix is set to acquire three-time All-Star Kahleah Copper from the Chicago Sky in a trade involving multiple players and draft compensation, per Khristina Williams of Girls Talk Sports TV.
After finishing the 2023 season with a league-worst 9-31 record, Phoenix has hired Nate Tibbetts as head coach, signed free agent guard Natasha Cloud and traded for Copper, who was named MVP of the 2021 WNBA Finals for her efforts in Chicago’s historic championship win over Phoenix.
Now, Copper is set to join her former Finals adversary.
“I’m ready and #ALLIN!” Copper penned to Mercury fans as part of an Instagram goodbye to Chicago.
“To my new teammates and coaches: you’re getting all of me. My hunger, my desire, my competitive spirit. Every. Damn. Possession. X-Factor, I can’t wait to be on your side and bring another championship back to The Valley. Let’s get it!”
During the 2023 campaign, Copper earned her third consecutive All-Star nod while averaging a career-high 18.7 points to go with 4.4 rebounds and 2.0 assists over 38 games. Copper also drained a career-high 69 3s at a 40.4 percent clip.
Here is more on the deal that will aid in Phoenix’s push toward contending in the 2024 WNBA season.
MORE: Tracking transactions from the 2024 WNBA free agency
Kahleah Copper trade details
Mercury receive:
- Kahleah Copper
Sky receive:
- Michaela Onyenwere
- Brianna Turner
- 2024 No. 3 pick
- 2025 second-round pick
- 2025 second-round pick
- 2026 first-round pick
As outlined by Williams, the deal is centered around Copper being traded to the Sky, with Chicago receiving players and draft compensation to be determined in return.
The Sky will receive forwards Michaela Onyenwere and Brianna Turner as well as four draft picks — the No. 3 pick in the upcoming draft, two second-round picks in the 2025 draft and Phoenix’s first-round pick in 2026, per Annie Costabile of the Chicago Sun-Times.
The Sky are set to begin a new era of basketball in Chicago under a new head coach, Hall of Famer Teresa Weatherspoon.
MORE: How Kia Nurse-to-Sparks deal shakes up 2024 WNBA Draft
2024 WNBA Draft order
Below is the complete order of the first round of the 2024 WNBA Draft, which takes place on Monday, April 15.
- Indiana Fever
- Los Angeles Sparks
- Chicago Sky (via Phoenix)
- Los Angeles Sparks (via Seattle)
- Dallas Wings (via Chicago)
- Washington Mystics
- Minnesota Lynx
- Los Angeles Sparks (via Atlanta)
- Dallas Wings
- Connecticut Sun
- New York Liberty
- Atlanta Dream (via Los Angeles and Las Vegas)
MORE: WNBA Mock Draft 2024: Which team will land Caitlin Clark?
Kahleah Copper 2023-24 stats
- 18.7 points per game
- 4.4 rebounds per game
- 2.0 assists per game
- 44.8 percent field goal shooting
- 40.4 percent 3-point shooting
- 77.0 percent free throw shooting
