The 2025 WNBA trade deadline is quickly approaching, and there are several players to monitor as movement heats up.
For the last several weeks, things have been fairly quiet on the trade front. In June, the Seattle Storm traded center Li Yueru to the Wings, and the Las Vegas Aces picked up Wings forward Nalyssa Smith in exchange for the team’s 2027 first-round draft pick. However, on Sunday, the action picked up again.
The Minnesota Lynx acquired Wings guard DiJonai Carrington in a three-player trade that also included Minnesota’s 2027 second-round pick. Carrington’s could signal another wave of moves. As the August 7 deadline approaches, here are some names to monitor:
Marina Mabrey, guard, Connecticut Sun
Mabrey made headlines over the offseason with a trade request. Connecticut brought Mabrey to the team during the 2024 season with the hopes of adding her to its quest for a championship. The title didn’t happev and, in the offseason, the Sun parted ways with every starter and their head coach. Predictably, she asked for a trade, but Connecticut denied her request. That led to her agent ripping the franchise publicly, insinuating the team was forcing her to play when she didn’t want to be there.
Things have calmed down since then, and now a trade doesn’t feel likely to happen. Still, it wouldn’t be surprising if Mabrey brings the request back to the table.
Aaliyah Edwards, forward, Washington Mystics
Edwards was drafted by the Mystics with the sixth overall pick in the 2024 WNBA draft. However, after starting 15-plus games last season, her minutes have diminished and so has her production. The former UConn Huskies forward is averaging career lows in nearly every major category, including minutes (13) and points (six). Edwards began the season with an injury, which forced the Mystics to turn to rookie Kiki Iriafen a lot sooner. Iriafen took advantage and carved out a lane in Washington’s starting lineup.
Edwards was left on the outside looking in as Washington turned to Iriafen and veterans Shakira Austin and Stefanie Dolson. In July, ESPN reported Washington had begun accepting offers for the second-year forward. If she is moved, the Valkyries or Chicago Sky, who could use productive depth, make sense.
Other WNBA trade candidates
- Alysha Clark, guard, Seattle Storm: Clark has struggled since re-joining the Storm earlier this year, following three seasons between the Mystics and the Las Vegas Aces. She was pulled from the starting lineup after seven games and is averaging three points per game, production that hasn’t been seen since her rookie season.
- Damiris Dantas, forward, Indiana Fever: It’s hard to gauge what the Fever’s plan is for Dantas. Her minutes have been all over the place and so has her production. That said, the Fever seem to have patience. A move probably isn’t likely, but for a team wanting to continually stay in the contender conversations, reorganizing the bottom of the roster isn’t out of reach.
- Kalani Brown, center, Phoenix Mercury: The Phoenix Mercury traded for Brown when they brought over Satou Sabally in a blockbuster trade in February. It was widely assumed the former Wings center would take over playing the five spot with franchise player Brittney Griner off to Atlanta, but that hasn’t been the case. Brown has started one game in 2025, and her minutes have been inconsistent since early June.