Kahleah Copper was supposed to be part of the Chicago Sky’s future. Now, just five months after signing an extension and four months after participating in an introductory press conference for new head coach Teresa Weatherspoon, Copper has been traded.
Copper and Morgan Bertsch are reportedly headed to the Phoenix Mercury in exchange for forwards Michaela Onyenwere and Brianna Turner and four draft picks, including the No. 3 pick in the 2024 draft.
The move is a bit of a shock, considering the Sky won a championship in 2021, made the playoffs in 2022 and 2023 and still had several pieces to compete for another ring prior to free agency.
We have acquired Michaela Onyenwere, Brianna Turner, 2024 First Rnd (3rd overall), 2026 First Rnd Pick, 2025 Second Rnd Pick, and the rights to swap 2026 Second Rnd picks from the @PhoenixMercury.
In exchange, we have traded Kahleah Copper and Morgan Bertsch.
— Chicago Sky (@chicagosky) February 6, 2024
KAHLEAH FREAKING COPPER.
The WNBA Champion, Finals MVP and 3x All-Star is heading to The Valley! 🌵
➡️ https://t.co/s1D4ULUvzd pic.twitter.com/GSdnSwuR00
— Phoenix Mercury (@PhoenixMercury) February 6, 2024
Let’s do a deep dive on the trade.
The details
Here is where everyone will land, according to the WNBA website and Mercury’s team website:
The Phoenix Mercury will receive: Kahleah Copper and Morgan Bertsch
The Chicago Sky will receive: The No. 3 pick in the 2024 WNBA draft and the Mercury’s 2026 first-round pick. Chicago is also getting its 2025 second-round pick back from Phoenix (acquired by the Mercury in a previous four-team trade before the 2023 season) and the rights to a 2026 second-round pick swap with the Mercury. Finally, the Sky will receive forwards Michaela Onyenwere and Brianna Turner.
Let’s hop into the trade grades.
Chicago Sky
To be very transparent, trading away the best player on the roster after signing them to an extension is a head-scratching move.
Copper was slated to become a free agent this offseason, but the Sky seemingly had no plans of moving on from her when they signed her to an extension in September 2023. Despite a disappointing loss in the first round of last year’s playoffs, the future was bright for Chicago, who had other pieces like Marina Mabrey, Dana Evans, and potentially Courtney Williams to build around.
However, Williams and another player, Alanna Smith, joined the Minnesota Lynx once free agency started, and ownership has now sent Copper away to the Phoenix Mercury, which begs the question: WHAT IS HAPPENING IN CHICAGO?
The large haul of draft picks in Copper’s suggests that the rebuild is ON. But the move is seemingly so abrupt that it’s hard to tell where the franchise is going. It’s possible that things could have soured between Copper and the Sky leadership, which wouldn’t be the first time this has happened. Per the Chicago Sun-Times‘ Annie Costabile, it’s why previous stars Elena Delle Donne and Sylvia Fowles both demanded a trade.
Perhaps this is Chicago’s way of doing right by Copper. Sending her to the Mercury still allows her to compete while Chicago forms a new identity and foundation — whatever that may be. Either way, this is an awful look for Chicago, and fans should be concerned.
GRADE: D
Phoenix Mercury
If the WNBA hasn’t been paying attention to what the Phoenix Mercury are doing this off-season, it probably should be.
Admittedly, the Mercury looked like a shell of their former selves during 2023. Injuries and a lackluster offense derailed their season, and hiring a coach with no WNBA experience did not sit well with hoops fans. But with a new head coach in the fold and brand new practice facilities on a $100 million campus, the Mercury suddenly looked like an attractive destination.
Landing a savvy veteran on the first day of free agency (hello, Natasha Cloud!) was a bold move, and the Mercury followed that up with several pickups to help their depth. But it’s not surprising that they continued to look for other ways to boost the roster, especially for a player who could help change their offensive identity.
Enter Kahleah Copper.
Copper averaged a career-high 18.7 points per game in 2023 and is a trusty source from beyond the arc, shooting 40 percent on 3-point shots. If the Mercury are able to re-sign Brittney Griner, adding Copper to the starting lineup with Cloud and Diana Taurasi is going to be sneaky good. Phoenix will be able to spread opponents out and attack them from different angles, which will be extremely difficult to defend.
GRADE: B+
