LAS VEGAS — The Sky found themselves in a familiar situation Wednesday, making a trade because a player wanted to move on.
General manager Jeff Pagliocca made the trade Guard Marina Mabry The Connecticut Sun received Rachel Banham, Moriah Jefferson, a 2025 first-round draft pick and a 2026 first-round draft pick in exchange for the trade. The Sun also received the Sky’s 2025 second-round draft pick.
But this was not a deliberate move by Pagliocca, as multiple league sources said it was at the players’ request.
“Marina has made a tremendous impact with the Sky over the past two seasons with her scoring ability, playmaking, competitive spirit and dedication to the community,” Pagliocca said in a press release. “We thank her for all of her contributions to our organization and wish her continued success in the league.”
In 21 games this season, Banham is averaging 4.8 points and 1.2 rebounds.
Jefferson, a 5-foot-6 guard out of the University of Connecticut, was the No. 2 overall pick in the 2016 WNBA Draft by the San Antonio Stars (now the Las Vegas Aces). She averaged 10.5 points, 3.6 assists and 2.0 rebounds per game for the Phoenix Mercurys in 2023.
“We are very excited to welcome Rachel and Moriah to the Sky and are confident that they will both add tremendous value to our team this season,” Pagliocca said. “Adding another significant first-round draft pick in 2025 will bolster our draft capital next year.”
Former Sky coach and general manager James Wade acquired Mabry in a four-team trade in 2023 that also included the Wings receiving two first-round draft picks (2023 and 2024) and a 2025 first-round draft pick in exchange for the right to trade. The trade was in response to a mass exodus of championship stars who left the Sky in free agency and was indicative of Wade’s penchant for acquiring talent outside of the draft. During his tenure, Wade focused on signing overseas talent and using trades to acquire more developed players.
But in Chicago, Mabry never developed into the All-Star player Wade hoped he would become.
In 2023, Mabrey was the Sky’s second-leading scorer behind 2021 Finals MVP Kaahliah Copper, averaging 15 points per game. This year, Mabrey has struggled with shooting, averaging just 12.1 points over her past eight games.
Mabry is a career 35.9% 3-point shooter and tied his career high with 39% 3-point shooting last season. Coming out of the shortened 2020 season, Mabry averaged nearly five attempts per game and shot 41.8% from the 3-point line.
The second-place Suns (18-6) have the third-best offense despite being one of the league’s worst 3-point shooting teams. It’s unclear what role Mabrey will play in coach Stephanie White’s system, who has used the same starting five — Tayshia Harris, Di’Jonai Carrington, Alyssa Thomas, De’Wanna Bonner and Bri Jones — in all but one game this year.
Adding a shooter like Mabry, even if he comes off the bench, could be the key to winning the franchise’s first WNBA title.
“We are excited to welcome Marina Mabry to the Connecticut Sun and believe she will give us an added edge in our championship race this year,” Sun general manager Darius Taylor said.
“She has the ability to make big plays, as well as the competitive spirit and mentality of a scorer. I believe Stephanie and her staff can utilize Marina in a variety of ways as we enter the second half of the season and continue to work towards our first title.”
The WNBA trade deadline is August 20. By then, the Sky Guard Dana Evans.
