The Los Angeles Sparks and Atlanta Dream have finalized a deal that will send guard Erica Wheeler to Atlanta in exchange for guard Chennedy Carter, who was the No. 4 overall pick in the 2020 WNBA draft.
The Sparks will also receive the rights to Li Yueru, a player from China who has yet to play in the WNBA, while the Dream will get a 2022 second-round draft pick and a 2023 first-round pick.
Carter, 23, averaged 14.2 points and 3.3 assists in 11 games until her 2021 season was shut down in early July due to suspension. At the time, the Dream cited conduct detrimental to the team. As a rookie, she averaged 17.4 points and 3.4 assists.
“Chennedy Carter has the skills to be an All-WNBA talent,” Sparks coach Derek Fisher said. “She can score at all three levels and has a tenacious approach to the game. At just 23 years old, we’re excited about the potential for her to be a star for many years to come.”
Wheeler has been a productive player in the WNBA over six seasons with the Dream, New York Liberty, Indiana Fever and Sparks. In 2021, she averaged career highs in points (13.6) and rebounds (3.1) to go along with 4.8 assists per game.
The 30-year-old was an All-Star participant in 2019, earning that game’s MVP honors.
“Erica is a versatile guard in the prime of her career and we think she’s going to be a great fit here in Atlanta,” general manager Dan Padover said. “Both of these picks are going to be key assets for us as we aim to re-build this team into a title contender. This trade positions us to be right where we want to be in 2022 and beyond.”
Yueru is a 6-7 center who has played for the Chinese national team in the Olympics. She was drafted by the Dream in the third round of the 2019 draft.
“Li Yueru is someone who proved in the Olympics she has a future in the WNBA,” Fisher said. “Adding an efficient, 6-foot-7 center to our prospect list was important to this deal. This trade also enables us to field a 12-woman roster with the significant cap space created.”
–Field Level Media