PHOENIX MERCURY

Mercury trade Diamond DeShields for 2021 Rookie of the Year Michaela Onyenwere

Feb 11, 2023, 2:00 PM | Updated: Feb 13, 2023, 7:13 am
Michaela Onyenwere #12 of the New York Liberty drives to the basket defended by Jasmine Walker #40 ...
Michaela Onyenwere #12 of the New York Liberty drives to the basket defended by Jasmine Walker #40 of the Los Angeles Sparks in the second half at Crypto.com Arena on July 03, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Meg Oliphant/Getty Images)
(Photo by Meg Oliphant/Getty Images)

The Phoenix Mercury announced Saturday that the team has acquired the 2021 WNBA Rookie of the Year Michaela Onyenwere in a four-team trade that sent guard Diamond DeShields to the Dallas Wings.

In the trade with the New York Liberty, Chicago Sky and Dallas Wings, Phoenix will also receive Chicago’s 2025 second-round pick and Chicago’s 2024 third-round pick.

Dallas will get DeShields, first-round picks from Chicago in 2023 and 2024 and the rights to swap first-rounders with Chicago in 2025. New York gets Leonie Fiebich, Chicago’s 2024 second-round pick and a first-round pick swap with Phoenix in 2025. Chicago will receive Marina Mabrey from Dallas as well as Phoenix’s 2024 second-round pick.

“We want to thank Diamond for her contributions during a 2022 season that was tumultuous for all of us,” Mercury general manager Jim Pitman said in a press release.

“Ultimately, this deal provided the opportunity to acquire a former Rookie of the Year and add additional cap space to help us build our roster. Michaela is a player who can be dynamic at both ends of the floor and has already shown her potential in this league. She will be a great, versatile addition to our roster.”

Onyenwere was selected No. 6 overall in the 2021 WNBA Draft by the Liberty.

En route to the Rookie of the Year title, she led all rookies with 8.6 points per game, 275 total points, 91 field goals and 37 three-pointers made. She also played in all 32 regular season games.

Onyenwere was the fourth-highest scorer in UCLA’s women’s history with 1,888 points, averaging 19.1 points and 7.2 rebounds for game.

DeShields played just one season in Phoenix after being drafted No. 3 overall by the Sky in 2018. She averaged 13.1 points and 3.8 rebounds with the Mercury.

Phoenix Mercury

Destiny Slocum #24 of the Las Vegas Aces looks to pass around Bria Hartley #14 of the Phoenix Mercu...
Wills Rice

Mercury add guards Slocum, Sutton to training camp contracts

The Phoenix Mercury announced Thursday the team has signed guards Destiny Slocum and Sug Sutton to training camp contracts.
12 days ago
Brittney Griner #42 of the Phoenix Mercury during Game Three of the 2021 WNBA semifinals at Desert ...
Arizona Sports

ESPN to televise Brittney Griner’s 1st games back on court with Mercury

Brittney Griner's return to basketball for the Phoenix Mercury will be aired on national TV, the team announced on Wednesday. 
14 days ago
Guard Shey Peddy #11 of the Phoenix Mercury dribbles the ball during the fourth quarter against the...
Kellan Olson

Phoenix Mercury re-sign guard Shey Peddy

The Phoenix Mercury announced on Sunday morning they have re-signed guard Shey Peddy, the latest returnee coming back to Phoenix in free agency.
24 days ago
From left to right: Jerry Colangelo, Dan Bickley, Michael Bidwill and Vince Marotta on Tuesday, Feb...
Kevin Zimmerman

The Cardinals bring fresh voices and more Newsmaker Week 2023 highlights

Bickley & Marotta welcomed 25 guests representing Arizona's teams and events to their show on Tuesday through Friday. So what did we learn?
26 days ago
Phoenix Mercury's Brittney Griner (42) shoots over Seattle Storm's Mercedes Russell in the first ha...
Arizona Sports

Mercury’s Brittney Griner works out in front of media Thursday

For the first time since her release from Russian custody, Phoenix Mercury center Brittney Griner was playing basketball in front of cameras.
26 days ago
Phoenix Mercury GM Jim Pitman in the Arizona Sports studio on Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2023. (Jeremy Sch...
Kevin Zimmerman

GM: Mercury prepared for heavy media coverage this upcoming season

A still image of Brittney Griner back on the Mercury's practice court Wednesday drew nearly 1 million views on Twitter alone.
28 days ago
Mercury trade Diamond DeShields for 2021 Rookie of the Year Michaela Onyenwere