Chamique Holdsclaw, the all-world forward who at one time was considered the franchise savior, was traded from the nation's capital this offseason for the 13th overall selection in the 2005 Draft and Los Angeles Sparks forward DeLisha Milton-Jones, a cagy Olympic veteran who tore her ACL and meniscus last year.

Milton-Jones

Though Holdsclaw missed a portion of last season because of a bout with depression, her physical body is still as fine-tuned as ever. In Milton-Jones, the Mystics inherit a risky asset with a valuable upside. How good of a deal this was for Washington depends on the health of Jones' knee.

"Obviously, Chamique went through a very trying time personally last season, and we have attempted to support her in every way possible," Washington Sports and Entertainment President Susan O'Malley said. "When she asked us to consider trading her for a fresh start, we felt it was best for everyone to honor that request."

Mystics general manager Linda Hargrove is optimistic Milton-Jones can fill Holdsclaw's void.

"We have a lot of confidence in DeLisha and her abilities," she said. "Having won two WNBA championships, she brings that experience as well as leadership to our team. She has the intangibles that will help us take the steps necessary to become a contender for the Eastern Conference Championship.�

The club used the Draft choice provided by the deal to acquire 6-5 center Iciss Tillis in a pre-Draft Day trade with the Detroit Shock. Tillis, the 11th pick in the 2004 Draft, was a teammate of Mystics star guard Alana Beard at Duke. Washington is hoping the duo will recapture the magic they had together in Durham, where the pair won four consecutive ACC regular- and post-season titles.

Beard

Although Tillis played sparingly as a rookie, Beard, the second overall pick in 2004, was Ms. Everything for the Mystics, stepping into the leadership role and carrying the team on her back and into the playoffs. Washington won five of their final six games, with the rookie averaging 22.5 points, 5.7 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 2.3 steals per game during that span.

Although Washington would lose in three games in the First Round of the playoffs to Eastern Conference Champion Connecticut Sun, just making the postseason was a building block for a team that finished 9-25 and last in the East the year before.

Whether or not the Mystics can make it to the Conference Semis this time around not only depends on Milton-Jones' knee, but whether Chasity Melvin can return to the form she previously held in Cleveland. Coming to Washington via the 2004 Dispersal Draft, the 6-3 pivot recorded career-lows in rebounds (3.9), blocks (.53) and field goal percentage (.406), and posted her lowest scoring average (8.6) since her rookie season.

With little depth at the four and five positions, Melvin will be asked to player greater role this season. Power forward Milton-Jones may even have to play some 3 due to the retirement of fourth leading scorer and starting swingman Stacey Dales-Schuman, who went into broadcasting.

Dales Schuman and Beard handled much of the Mystics' ball-handling responsibilities last season, prompting Washington to use its first round pick in the draft to land a true point guard. LSU grad Temeka Johnson could step into a starting role at some point this season. She will be supported by veteran Tamicha Jackson, who started 12-of-25 games last year.