The Phoenix Mercury dealt guard Diamond DeShields to the Dallas Wings on Saturday in a four-team trade that also included the New York Liberty and Chicago Sky.
Phoenix landed 2021 Rookie of the Year Michaela Onyenwere from the Liberty and Dallas sent guard Marina Mabrey to Chicago. The Liberty acquired the rights to forward Leonie Fiebich from the Sky.
Dallas also received two first-round picks (No. 5 overall in 2023, 2024) from Chicago and the right to swap first-round picks in 2025, while the Sky received a 2024 second-round pick from the Mercury.
Phoenix landed a third-round pick in 2024 and second-round pick in 2025 from the Sky. New York received a second-round pick in 2024 from Chicago and the right to swap 2025 first-round picks with Phoenix.
DeShields, who turns 28 on March 5, averaged 13.1 points last season in her lone campaign with Phoenix. The No. 3 overall pick in the 2018 WNBA Draft spent her first four seasons with the Sky and was part of the franchise’s 2021 title team.
DeShields, the daughter of former MLB infielder Delino DeShields, has a 13.2 scoring average in 143 games (108 starts).
“Diamond DeShields has established herself as one of the premier wing players in the WNBA,” Dallas Wings CEO Greg Bibb said in a news release. “Her size, athleticism, ability to get to the rim and defensive acumen will make us a better basketball team.”
Onyenwere, 23, averaged 8.6 points in her strong rookie season but dipped to 4.7 last season. She has a 6.6 scoring average in 66 games (30 starts).
“Michaela is a player who can be dynamic at both ends of the floor and has already shown her potential in this league,” Phoenix general manager Jim Pitman said in a release. “She will be a great, versatile addition to our roster.”
Mabrey, 26, established career bests of 13.6 points and 3.7 assists last season. She also averaged 3.6 rebounds.
Overall, she has averages of 10.4 points, 3.0 rebounds and 2.5 assists in 116 games (52 starts) in one season with the Los Angeles Sparks (2019) and three with Dallas (2020-22).
“Adding a player such as Marina who can play both guard positions, is a talented sharpshooter and gives her all every single game will all be vital for our team this year,” Chicago coach/general manager James Wade said in a release. “We are looking forward to having her as a big addition to our roster.”
The Sky are reloading after losing stars Candace Parker and Courtney Vandersloot in free agency. Azura Stevens also departed as a free agent and standout 3-point shooter Allie Quigley is sitting out the season.
Fiebich, 23, is a highly regarded German-born player currently playing in Spain. She was a second-round pick by the Los Angeles Sparks in 2020 but has never played in the WNBA.
–Field Level Media