Forget the national TV games on tap for Saturday; the real WNBA drama is off the court, with transaction rumors absolutely dominating the conversation. WNBA obsessives aren’t just watching the scoreboard; they’re glued to the trade wire.
Skylar Diggins and Betnijah Laney-Hamilton: The Uncomfortable Truths
You heard it here first: two major veterans, Skylar Diggins and Betnijah Laney-Hamilton, are at the center of serious trade speculation right now. Diggins, a high-profile unrestricted free agent who came to Chicago to inject that competitive fire and get the Sky back to the postseason, hasn’t quite fit in. With Natasha Cloud joining late and Courtney Vandersloot being prioritized, plus injuries hitting the roster, the Sky are reportedly far from their playoff ambitions. That’s a tough pill for any fan to swallow.
Over in New York, Laney-Hamilton was supposed to be the shot in the arm the Liberty needed, bringing back the toughness, grit, and clutch play they missed during her season-long injury absence last year. But new head coach Chris DeMarco is favoring offensively-titled options, leaving the more defensive-minded Laney-Hamilton on the outside looking in. When expectations like these get completely upended, you know the trade rumors are going to start flying.
On-Court Fireworks While the Rumors Swirl
Even with all the trade talk, there’s still some serious ball being played. A’ja Wilson for the Las Vegas Aces is in absolute peak M’VP form. The stats don’t lie: 33 points, 10 rebounds in their latest win against the Liberty? That’s her fifth 30-plus point double-double of the season! Kamilla Cardoso for the Chicago Sky also showed up big, dropping 18 fourth-quarter points to clinch a comeback win against the Connecticut Sun on Thursday. Talk about stepping up when it matters!
Then you’ve got the New York Liberty facing the Phoenix Mercury, a game that’s a straight-up must-win for Phoenix if they want any shot, however slim, at hitting the No. 8 seed for the playoffs. The Liberty are sitting pretty with a five-game lead over Phoenix and have already secured the season series. But you can never count out Alyssa Thomas for the Mercury. She’s been a beast, nearly getting a triple-double with 25 points, nine rebounds, and eight assists against the Golden State Valkyries on Wednesday, fueling Phoenix’s three-game winning streak. She’s also created 547 points off her assists this season, leading the league with 20.3 assist points per game, and assisting on 97 three-pointers. That’s just wild.
While the WNBA world is buzzing with trade fantasies, our own Seattle Storm were on the court, battling it out. Unfortunately, it wasn’t our night. The Storm fell to the Atlanta Dream 89-98. It’s a tough loss, but this team always fights. Let’s keep that green and blue spirit strong, 12s, and keep our eyes on what’s next for the Emerald City’s finest. Hopefully, they can bounce back strong after this one.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Swish Appeal.
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