WNBA superstar Kahleah Copper is on the move with the Phoenix Mercury closing a massive trade for the three-time WNBA All-Star. Copper spent the last six seasons with the Chicago Sky and was a member of the team that won the 2021 WNBA championship overcoming the Phoenix Mercury 3-1.
ESPN announced the news with a post on their Instagram account early on Tuesday.
The move is the blockbuster trade of the WNBA offseason, especially considering Copper only recently signed a two-year contract to remain in Chicago.
The Sky are trading Kahleah Copper to the Mercury in exchange for players and draft pick compensation, per @Khristina
Throwback to this legendary Finals photo of her vs. PHX 🤯🔥 pic.twitter.com/akYT0q6qLX
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) February 6, 2024
The price for the 6-1 guard who was voted WNBA finals MVP will not be cheap. Phoenix had to give up a handful of picks and a few players. The package for Kahleah Copper will include the no. 3 overall pick in the draft, two second-round picks in next years draft, and a first-round pick in the 2026 draft. The Chicago Sky will also receive forwards Michaela Onyenwere and Brianna Turner as pat of the trade.
In 2023, Copper averaged career-highs with 15.7 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game. The highly rated guard also contributed with 0.5 steals per game and shot 48 percent from the field. She has not averaged below 14.4 points in any of her last three seasons.
Copper had committed herself to rebuilding a Chicago team that has struggled since their championship season 2021. The move comes as a shock to many Chicago fans that saw her as the pillar for the franchise.
