The Chicago Sky have traded Marina Mabrey and a 2025 second-round pick to the Connecticut Sun in exchange for Moriah Jefferson, Rachel Banham, a 2025 first-round pick, and swap rights for a 2026 first-round pick, the teams announced on Wednesday.
The swap rights are somewhat complicated since the Minnesota Lynx already hold swap rights with the Sky for 2026 due to the Angel Reese trade. Thus, the Sky have acquired the right to swap the Phoenix Mercury’s 2026 first-round pick, received in the Kahleah Copper trade, with the Sun’s 2026 first-round pick.
While WNBA trades are common, most occur during the offseason. The last midseason trade of this magnitude was in 2015, when the Sky traded Sylvia Fowles, who was holding out, to the Minnesota Lynx in a three-team deal that immediately helped the Lynx win the title.
Connecticut Sun Receive
Marina Mabrey
2025 second-round pick (via New York)
Mabrey may not be on par with Fowles, but she addresses a crucial need for the Sun and could significantly impact their playoff chances.
At 18-6, the Sun are in second place heading into the Olympic break, largely due to their elite defense. They rank second in defensive rating (93.8) and first in opponent turnover percentage (21.3). However, while their defense is formidable, it’s insufficient against elite teams. The Sun are 2-5 against top-five opponents and 16-1 against everyone else, highlighting the need for offensive firepower to compete with the New York Liberty and Las Vegas Aces.
Mabrey, averaging 14 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 4.5 assists while shooting 34.8% from three on 6.7 attempts per game, provides the perimeter scoring the Sun lack. The Sun are currently 10th in three-point attempts per game (17.7) and tied for eighth in percentage (31.4). Mabrey’s shooting will help space the floor, particularly around Alyssa Thomas and Brionna Jones, who rarely shoot from outside the paint.
Mabrey’s ability to create for herself and others is crucial for the Sun’s halfcourt offense, which ranks sixth in points per possession (0.895) and eighth in true shooting percentage (52.8). She will also relieve defensive pressure from DeWanna Bonner and bolster bench lineups with her playmaking.
Swapping Jefferson and Banham for Marina Mabrey is a significant upgrade, with minimal risk regarding the draft picks given up. The Sun’s 2025 first-round pick is expected to be low, and the 2026 pick swap is unlikely to be detrimental barring unexpected free agency losses or injuries.
The only potential downside is Mabrey’s contentious history with DiJonai Carrington, though such issues are typically resolved by winning. As long as the Sun continue to perform well, this shouldn’t be a significant problem.
Grade: A
Chicago Sky Receive
Rachel Banham
Moriah Jefferson
2025 first-round pick (via Connecticut)
2026 first-round pick swap (via Connecticut)
Before the 2023 season, former Sky coach and GM James Wade made a questionable decision to acquire Mabrey from the Dallas Wings in a four-team trade, giving up substantial assets. Despite Mabrey’s solid performance, the Sky’s overall lack of talent made this an overpay. The return for Mabrey—salary filler, a late first-round pick, and a potential pick swap—reflects this miscalculation.
New GM Jeff Pagliocca, hired in October 2023, has been working to rebuild the team’s draft capital. This trade helps in that regard, recouping a first-round pick and increasing the likelihood of the Sky landing in the lottery this season. With the Wings struggling and likely to finish last, the Sky’s best strategy is to also aim for a lottery position, ensuring a top-four pick in a highly anticipated draft.
Currently, the Sky are neither contenders nor one of the worst teams. Trading Mabrey allows them to reset for the remainder of this season and beyond. The long-term grade for this trade depends on their ability to secure star potential in the draft, but the current strategy is sound.
Grade: B+
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