Phoenix Mercury a winner of WNBA free agency, writes ESPN’s Kevin Pelton

They lost longtime center Brittney Griner. They aren’t sure if legend Diana Taurasi will retire or stay for another go around.

But the Phoenix Mercury have done enough to warrant two ‘A’ trade grades from ESPN reporter Kevin Pelton.

He also labeled the Mercury a resounding winner of free agency.

The reason is pretty clear: the Mercury traded for All-Star talent without moving their star in Kahleah Copper.

After a couple of aimless years at the tail end of Diana Taurasi’s legendary career, Phoenix now has a direction and stars to build around going forward.

Phoenix lost Griner when the center signed with the Atlanta Dream after 11 seasons in the Valley. She said she would explore her options on the market.

The Mercury responded with a four-team blockbuster trade that brought in Connecticut Sun All-Star Alyssa Thomas — the best player to change teams this offseason — along with Dallas Wings All-Star Satou Sabally, Kalani Brown and Sevgi Uzun.

Natasha Cloud, Rebecca Allen and Sophie Cunningham were dealt in the four-team exchange.

OFFICIAL: The Dallas Wings have traded for DiJonai Carrington, Tyasha Harris, NaLyssa Smith, and Mikiah Herbert Harrigan. pic.twitter.com/jYUqMTOsmk

— Dallas Wings (@DallasWings) February 2, 2025

“Satou is an exceptional and rare talent who is still hungry to develop and improve her game,” Mercury general manager Nick U’Ren said in a press release once the deal was made official.

“Her positional versatility, diverse skillset and competitive drive make her one of the biggest difference-makers in our league. Teaming her with Kahleah and Alyssa will allow us to play the kind of dynamic brand of basketball we want to play, the kind our fans deserve.”

Phoenix Mercury a super team?

The Mercury quickly, and somewhat quietly, have built a superteam this offseason with the sign-and-trade deals.

Counting Copper, who was added last offseason, the Mercury have three players who earned All-WNBA honors over the past two seasons. All were acquired via trade and since the team hired U’Ren as general manager and Nate Tibbetts as head coach ahead of the 2024 season.

Given all the major moves and no matter what happens with Taurasi’s decision, which Pelton notes in his article, the Mercury are likely to have a top-heavy payroll come 2025. They missed out on DeWanna Bonner but signed veteran guard Sami Whitcomb.

Both Sabally and Thomas are on one-year deals and could enter free agency next year alongside Copper, which would put the Mercury back in a re-tool mode.