The Los Angeles Sparks have acquired All-Star forward DeLisha Milton-Jones from the Washington Mystics in a trade of forward Taj McWilliams-Franklin and the Sparks 2009 first round pick, it was announced today.

Milton-Jones returns to the Sparks who drafted her in the first round (fourth overall) of the WNBA Draft in 1999. She played six years in Los Angeles during which she helped lead the team to back-to-back championships in 2001 and 2002.  With Washington since 2005, she averaged 13.4 points, 6.4 rebounds and 1.6 assists per game during their 2007 campaign.

A nine-year veteran, McWilliams-Franklin averaged 11.1 points, 5.9 rebounds and 1.7 assists per game in 2007, her first year with the Sparks.  

“Trades are part of the game,” said Sparks coach Michael Cooper.  “DeLisha is a very good defensive player and I’m sure she’ll bring the same intensity to the Sparks this time as she did the first time.  We’ll miss what Taj brought to the team, but wish her all the best in Washington.” 

“We are excited to welcome DeLisha back to the Sparks family,” said Sparks general manager Penny Toler.