The 2023 WNBA season made history last week with its first-ever in-season trade. In a league where trades during the season are rare due to the hard cap and roster spot limitations, this trade between the Washington Mystics and the Indiana Fever is a significant milestone. Over the past four years, there has been only one trade during the regular season each year.
If you were hoping for more action before the trade deadline on August 7th, you might be disappointed. The trade between Washington and Indiana, which saw the Mystics acquire Queen Egbo in exchange for Amanda Zahui B., is one of the most consequential deals in the last five years. It’s worth noting that it’s uncommon for both players involved in a trade to see the court for their new teams, making this trade even more noteworthy.
Indiana has developed a pattern of parting ways with young prospects early. Egbo, who was an all-rookie team member last year, is a quality defensive center who has been instrumental in anchoring the paint for the Fever, whether or not Aliyah Boston is on the court. Trading her for no future value and no draft capital seems like an undervaluation on Indiana’s part.
While it’s possible that Egbo wanted a change and was dissatisfied playing behind Boston, it’s surprising that there was no rush to get rid of her, especially when there was no benefit to the Fever. If the team needed cap space during the offseason, they could have simply cut Egbo, as her contract is not currently guaranteed. The circumstances surrounding this trade are unusual, but then again, so are in-season trades in general.
Despite their seven-game losing streak, the Fever actually moved up a spot in the rankings this week. This was due to the Los Angeles Sparks not having enough players available to put on the floor. On the other hand, the Dallas Wings jumped to fourth place after defeating the Las Vegas Aces on Friday. They are only the second team this season to achieve this feat.
Here are the current WNBA power rankings:
1. Las Vegas
2. New York
3. Connecticut
4. Dallas
5. Washington
6. Minnesota
7. Atlanta
8. Chicago
9. Indiana
10. Phoenix
11. Los Angeles
12. Seattle
The Las Vegas Aces continue to hold the top spot in the rankings, followed closely by the New York Liberty and the Connecticut Sun. The Dallas Wings’ impressive victory over the Aces propelled them to the fourth spot, while the Washington Mystics and the Minnesota Lynx round out the top five.
The Atlanta Dream, Chicago Sky, Indiana Fever, Phoenix Mercury, Los Angeles Sparks, and Seattle Storm complete the rankings, with Seattle currently sitting at the bottom.
As the WNBA season progresses, it will be interesting to see if more in-season trades take place and how they impact the league’s landscape. In a league known for its offseason drama, in-season wheeling and dealing still has room to grow. Fans and teams alike will be eagerly watching to see if more trades unfold before the trade deadline and how they shape the playoff race.
In conclusion, the recent in-season trade between the Washington Mystics and the Indiana Fever marks a significant milestone for the WNBA. While trades during the season are rare, this trade stands out as one of the most consequential deals in recent years. The circumstances surrounding the trade and Indiana’s decision to part ways with a promising young player raise questions, but they also highlight the unique nature of in-season trades in the WNBA. As the season progresses, fans will be eagerly watching to see if more trades occur and how they impact the league’s landscape.