It appears Mercury is NOT in retrograde. At least, the Phoenix Mercury are not.
Instead of avoiding a big decision, they made the most surprising and potentially seismic move of the WNBA’s free agency period, trading for 2021 WNBA Finals MVP Kahleah Copper.
It was Copper and the Chicago Sky who foiled Phoenix’s last, best chance at a championship. Now, with Copper joining fellow Philly native Natasha Cloud in Phoenix, the Mercury, under the new leadership regime of owner Mat Ishbia, general manager Nick U’Ren and head coach Nate Tibbetts, are charging toward a fourth title.
In September, Copper signed a two-year supermax contract extension with the Sky, seemingly cementing her as the face of the franchise as a new era was set to begin under head coach Teresa Weatherspoon. Approximately five months later, she’s leaving the Windy City for the Valley of Sun. To acquire the three-time All-Star, Phoenix is sending a haul back to Chicago. In addition to Brianna Turner and Michaela Onyenwere, the Sky will receive the No. 3 pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft, the Mercury’s 2026 first-round pick, the Mercury’s 2025 second-round pick and the right to swap second-round picks in 2026. Morgan Bertsch also is heading to Phoenix with Copper.
What Kahleah Copper brings to the Mercury
Copper might have said it best in her IG post: “To my new teammates and coaches: you’re getting all of me. My hunger, my desire, my competitive spirit. Every. Damn. Possession.”
Phoenix, particularly Sophie Cunningham, has seen Copper’s relentlessness up close, in the 2021 WNBA Finals and in competitive Sky-Mercury battles since then. However, her hunger, desire and competitive spirit translate to winning because of her combination of speed and skill.
Quite possibly the fastest player in the W, Copper applies her elite wheels and skills on both ends of the floor. Defensively, her quickness, combined with her length, will bother opposing ball handlers. Now, with Brittney Griner (presumably) backing her up, Copper can ramp up the aggression, taking more calculated gambles for steals knowing that BG is protecting the rim. When…
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