While you were sleeping Monday night, the Phoenix Mercury were busy executing the biggest trade of the 2010 WNBA season. A confidential source involved with the deal is reporting that the Mercury will be sending All-Star guard Cappie Pondexter to the New York Liberty in exchange for Shameka Christon and Cathrine Kraayeveld. Those two will then be dealt to the Chicago Sky for All-Star forward Candice Dupree.
The deal has not yet been made official, but is believed to have already cleared through the league offices and will be announced sometime this week. In the midst of WNBA free agency, it is a massive deal that helps three teams clean house and reshuffle the deck, respectively.
Pondexter was an integral part of the Mercury's 2009 championship run. She posted an outstanding 19.1 points per game and 5.0 assists per game throughout the season. During the WNBA finals, she scored 20.8 points per game, a team best for the round. Her departure from the Mercury should open up a hole for the recently signed Lenae Williams, who is returning from her latest tour of Europe.
Both Christon and Kraayeveld will eventually make their way to Chicago, who narrowly missed the playoffs last season. They averaged 16.1 and 9.0 points per game respectively last season. Christon's numbers were career highs while Kraayeveld showed exemplary shooting at the three-point line.
Finally, Phoenix will land Candice Dupree, an All-Star forward who seems to get better with age. Dupree's 15.7 points per game and 7.9 rebounds made her a standout in Chicago and could propel her to do the same for the Mercury. More details on this trade as they become available.
Comments
I like adding Dupree to the team. I think she can give them a really big force up front and let Diana take over even more. Good trade overall.
I'm not that sold on this being a good deal. One free agent for another one? I think the Mercury are depleting their guards, personally.
But who knowns? Lenea Williams might be able to bring them back up. It couldn't hurt to at least try and shuffle the deck.
Yes, it could. They won the championship last year. It doesn't get any better, so why tamper with the chemistry? Do they not want to create a dynasty?
Wow. I don't get this deal at all. Little help?
Guess it isn't a rumor anymore lol
I think this trade could shakeup the whole WNBA. The Champions made a blockbuster move that might bolster others rather than themselves.
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