The Elene Delle Donne era in Chicago is over and a new chapter for the Sky begins. The team announced Thursday morning that it has traded its franchise player of four seasons to the Mystics.
In return, the Sky received All-Star center Stefanie Dolson, last year’s seventh overall pick Kahleah Copper and the second overall pick in April’s draft.
“The acquisition of these two players and the second overall pick in the upcoming draft gives us three outstanding pieces that make our lineup stronger, deeper and better,” Sky head coach and general manager Amber Stocks said in a statement. “Our focus is to enhance the championship culture and winning mindset with our talented roster of strong players.”
Delle Donne has been in Houston participating in Super Bowl LI activities on behalf of Gatorade, her agent said, and wasn’t immediately available for comment.
The Sky and Mystics had reached an agreement in principle on Monday, according to a New York Times reports which said Sky owner Michael Alter confirmed the deal, though a Sky spokesman later denied that the team gave confirmation.
Delle Donne’s exit from Chicago has been a stunning turn of events in a league where blockbuster trades don’t happen often. Sources said momentum for the deal had been building since at least this summer as Delle Donne, a restricted free agent, became disenchanted with the team’s direction and weighed options for her future.
Last year was a pivotal one for the former WNBA MVP personally and professionally. She got engaged to girlfriend Amanda Clifton in June, won a gold medal in Rio in August and suffered a thumb injury in September, which caused her to missed the Sky’s final 10 games, including the playoffs.
Delle Donne has said in previous interviews that she values being close to her hometown of Wilmington, Delaware, where sister Lizzie lives. Lizzie, who is blind, deaf and autistic and has cerebral palsy, can only communicate through touch and smell.
Wilmington is within a hour’s commute of the D.C. area.
plthompson@chicagotribune.com
Twitter @_phil_thompson
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