Mercury trade Kia Vaughn to Atlanta Dream for 2023 WNBA Draft pick

The Phoenix Mercury on Monday traded center Kia Vaughn to the Atlanta Dream in exchange for a third-round draft pick in the 2023 WNBA Draft.

In 28 games with the Mercury in 2021, Vaughn averaged 4.6 points, 2.7 rebounds and 1.3 assists over 15.8 minutes per contest. She shot 44.7% from the field.

“Kia was an indispensable part of our 2020 run in the WNBA Bubble and our 2021 Finals run would not have been possible without her, and we want to thank her for all she did for our organization in her short time here,” Mercury general manager Jim Pitman said in a press release Monday.

“This move creates much-needed salary cap flexibility and will give us the opportunity to improve our roster in other areas during free agency this year. We wish Kia all the best in Atlanta.”

The move frees up a reported $110,000 in cap space.

Vaughn first joined the team in 2020 after spending time with the New York Liberty (2009-2012, 2017-18) and Washington Mystics (2013-16). She originally entered the league with the Liberty as a first-round draft pick (No. 8) in the 2009 WNBA Draft.

During her time in Phoenix, the center averaged 5.3 points, 3.1 rebounds and 1.4 assists per game. She shot 47.1% from the field.

Over her 12-year career, Vaughn has averaged 6.2 points and 4.3 rebounds.

The Vaughn trade marks one of the first moves Phoenix has made since hiring Scottsdale native Vanessa Nygaard as the team’s next head coach last Monday.

The Mercury tipoff the 2022 season on May 6 with a home opener against the Las Vegas Aces.

Follow @AZSports