LAS VEGAS — The Sky found themselves in a familiar position Wednesday, making a trade as a result of a player’s desire to be elsewhere.
General manager Jeff Pagliocca traded guard Marina Mabrey to the Connecticut Sun for Rachel Banham, Moriah Jefferson, a 2025 first-round pick and the right to swap 2026 first-round picks. The Sun also will receive the Sky’s 2025 second-round draft pick.
But this wasn’t an intentional move by Pagliocca. Instead, it was a response to a player’s request, according to several league sources.
“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,” Pagliocca said in a press release. “We appreciate all of her contributions to the organization and wish her continued success in the league.”
Through 21 games this season, Banham is averaging 4.8 points and 1.2 rebounds.
Jefferson, a 5-6 guard from UConn, was selected No. 2 overall by the San Antonio Stars, now the Las Vegas Aces, in the 2016 WNBA Draft. In 2023 with the Phoenix Mercury, she averaged 10.5 points, 3.6 assists and 2.0 rebounds.
“We are very excited to welcome Rachel and Moriah to the Sky, and we know that both will bring a ton of value to this roster this season,” Pagliocca said. “Adding another essential first-round pick in 2025 will strengthen our draft capital next year.”
Former Sky coach/general manager James Wade acquired Mabrey in a four-team trade in 2023 that included sending two first-round draft picks (2023 and 2024) to the Wings as well as the right to swap 2025 first-round picks. The trade was in response to an exodus of championship stars who left the Sky via free agency and was a sign of Wade’s penchant for acquiring talent outside of the draft. During his tenure, Wade leaned heavily into signing overseas talent and using trades to acquire more developed players.
But in Chicago, Mabrey never grew into the All-Star Wade projected her to be.
In 2023, Mabrey was the Sky’s second-leading scorer behind 2021 Finals MVP Kahleah Copper, averaging 15 points. This year, Mabrey has been in a shooting slump that has her averaging 12.1 points over the last eight games.
Mabrey is a 35.9% career three-point shooter. Last season, she nearly matched her career high, shooting 39% from three. She finished the shortened 2020 season shooting 41.8% from three while averaging nearly five attempts.
Despite having one of the lowest three-point percentages in the league, the second-place Sun (18-6) have the third-best offensive rating. It’s unclear what role Mabrey will play in coach Stephanie White’s system. White has relied on the same starting five — Tyasha Harris, DiJonai Carrington, Alyssa Thomas, DeWanna Bonner, and Bri Jones — for every game this year except one.
Adding a shooter in Mabrey, even if she’s coming off the bench, could be a key to the franchise winning its first WNBA title.
“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.
“She brings a competitive spirit and scorer’s mentality along with an ability to make big plays. I believe Stephanie 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 WNBA trade deadline is Aug. 20. Before then, the Sky also could end up moving guard Dana Evans.