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 salary cap restrictions and roster 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 been four seasons since both players involved in a trade have played for their new teams. While the WNBA offseason is known for its drama, in-season trades are still relatively rare.
This recent trade by Indiana continues a trend of the team parting ways with young prospects early. Egbo, who was named to the all-rookie team last year, is a talented defensive center who has been instrumental in anchoring the paint alongside Aliyah Boston. Trading her for Zahui B., who is on an expiring contract and offers no future value or draft capital, seems like an undervaluation on Indiana’s part.
It’s possible that Egbo wanted a change and was unhappy playing behind Boston, making her long-term future with the Fever uncertain. However, there didn’t appear to be a rush to get rid of her, especially when there was no benefit to the team. If the Fever needed cap space during the offseason, they could have simply cut Egbo as her contract is currently not guaranteed.
This series of events is unusual for Indiana, but then again, so is an in-season trade.
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 field a team. On the other hand, the Dallas Wings climbed 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 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
As the season progresses, it will be interesting to see if there are more in-season trades and how they impact the standings. The rarity of these trades adds an element of excitement and unpredictability to the league, making each one a significant event.
Fans and analysts alike will be eagerly watching for any further trade activity before the upcoming deadline. With the WNBA season in full swing, teams will be looking for ways to improve their rosters and make strategic moves to position themselves for success. Whether it’s a blockbuster trade or a smaller transaction, each move has the potential to shape the league and impact the race for the championship.
In conclusion, the recent in-season trade between the Washington Mystics and the Indiana Fever marks a significant milestone in the WNBA. While trades during the season are rare, this deal has caught the attention of fans and experts due to its impact on both teams. As the season progresses, we can expect more excitement and surprises as teams make moves to strengthen their rosters and compete for the ultimate prize.