PHOENIX- The Phoenix Mercury experienced significant changes in the offseason, following Brittney Griner’s departure and Diana Taurasi’s retirement from the WNBA.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!The team successfully acquired Alyssa Thomas and Satou Sabally through significant trades during a busy offseason of retooling in hopes of bringing a title back to the valley.
One question that arises is how the Mercury will manage their point guard situation, especially after trading guard Natasha Cloud to the Connecticut Sun in a blockbuster deal to acquire Thomas. According to Sportico, the Phoenix Mercury currently has $495,216 in available cap space.
“We’re always looking for ways to improve the roster,” Phoenix Mercury general manager Nick U’Ren said Tuesday. “… If something comes available to make sense, we’ll look at it for sure.”
Fans on social media expressed frustration over U’Ren’s decision to trade Cloud, who had a significant impact on both ends of the court last season.
Phantom BC/Connecticut Sun guard Natasha Cloud says the last few weeks have been a "whirlwind."
She says she was told she was going to be able to retire as a Phoenix Mercury and found out about the trade on social media.#Unrivaled #WNBA pic.twitter.com/dgD2cDdXB6
— Desert Wave Media (@DesertWaveCo) February 8, 2025
Cloud discovered that she had been traded through social media, rather than being informed by the Mercury.
“The last few weeks have been a whirlwind, to say the least,” Cloud said, via Desert Wave Media. “I think for the public view if this isn’t proof enough of the business of the NBA, the WNBA, and any professional sports, this is what it is.”
At the end of the day, U’Ren stated that it was the nature of business while expressing gratitude for what Cloud, Bec Allen, and Sophie Cunningham have done for the team in terms of impact.
“I’m not going to get into specifics,” U’Ren said. “We’re so thankful for what (Natasha Cloud) did for the organization, both on and off the floor. From choosing us in free agency last year to what she was able to bring on the floor. The nature of this business is when you can acquire a talent like Alyssa (Thomas) is you have to give up something of great value.”
*Get the BEST Phoenix sports insider information, exclusive content, and access to our seasonal magazines! SIGN UP HERE to unlock our premium content!*
Reporter Aya Abdeen covers the Phoenix Mercury, Arizona State Athletics and more for Burn City Sports. You can follow her on her X account, @ayabdeen, and on Bluesky, @ayabdeen.bsky.social.
