Phoenix Mercury Official Release

The three-time WNBA Champion Phoenix Mercury today acquired All-Star wing and 2021 champion Diamond DeShields from the Chicago Sky in a sign-and-trade deal, the team announced. The deal was part of a three-team trade between the Mercury, Sky and Indiana Fever.

Mercury General Manager Jim Pitman: “Diamond DeShields is as dynamic an athlete as we have in our league and at just 26 years old has already been a champion, an All-Star and an All-WNBA performer. She was one of our top targets this offseason because of her ability to score and defend from the wing position and how dangerous she is in the open floor. We are thrilled to add Diamond to our All-Star core.”

“We also want to thank Bria Hartley for her contributions while in a Mercury uniform and everything she did to return to the court last season following injury in the Bubble. We loved having Bria and her son Bryson in Phoenix and wish them the best in Indiana.”

In just four seasons in the WNBA, DeShields has been a champion (2021), an All-Star (2019), an All-WNBA Second Team selection (2019), and an All-Rookie Team honoree (2018). The 6-foot-1 wing owns career averages of 13.2 points, 4.3 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.2 steals in 113 career games (89 starts). A combination of speed and size, DeShields’ ability to run the floor and slash has contributed to averaging nearly four free-throw attempts per game for her career and she has shot 82.9 percent from the line in those opportunities.

The daughter of former Major League Baseball player Delino DeShields and sister of current MLB player Delino DeShields, Jr., she is currently playing for Schio in Italy.

Indiana Fever Official Release

The Indiana Fever announced today the team has acquired guard Bria Hartley in a three-team trade involving the Chicago Sky and Phoenix Mercury. The Fever also acquired the No. 7 overall pick in this year’s WNBA Draft from Chicago, a 2023 first round pick from Chicago, as well as a second round pick in 2022 and 2023 from Phoenix. The Fever now own the No. 2, No. 7 and No. 10 overall selections in this year’s draft.

In exchange, Chicago received Fever guard Julie Allemand and a 2023 first round pick from Phoenix, while guard Diamond Deshields was traded to Phoenix in a sign-and-trade agreement.

“We are excited to welcome Bria’s veteran presence to Indiana. She has proven to be a key contributor on multiple teams, including last year in helping Phoenix advance to the WNBA Finals,” VP of Basketball Operations and General Manager Tamika Catchings said. “This trade allows us to secure more top-tier talent in this year’s draft, and we also add more assets to control heading into 2023.”

Hartley is entering her ninth WNBA season after playing the last two years with Phoenix. During the 2020 season, the 5-foot-9 guard was averaging a career-best 14.6 points per game, including a career-high 27 points against New York, before tearing her ACL in her right knee.

A two-time NCAA champion with UConn in 2013 and 2014, Hartley was also the 15th Husky all-time and only the fourth UConn sophomore to earn honors. She finished her college career ranked seventh on UConn’s charts for most points (533) and assists (140) by a sophomore.

Hartley missed the remainder of the 2016 regular season due to the birth of her son.

Chicago Sky Official Release

The Chicago Sky has acquired point guard Julie Allemand in a three-team trade with the Phoenix Mercury and Indiana Fever, the team announced today.

As part of the trade, Chicago receives Allemand from Indiana while Phoenix receives Diamond DeShields from Chicago. In exchange, Indiana acquires Bria Hartley from Phoenix and two of Phoenix’s second-round draft picks, and Chicago deals Indiana its 2022 and 2023 first round picks. In the deal, Chicago also receives Phoenix’s 2023 first round draft pick.

“We can’t wait to welcome Julie into the Sky family,” said Sky General Manager and Head Coach James Wade. “She’s proven that she is at high level point guard that can create and play for teammates. “Not only that, but she’s been able to show what she’s done on an international level across Europe and in FIBA competitions. She also was one of the greatest surprises of the WNBA bubble.”

Originally drafted by Indiana with the 33^rd overall pick in the 2016 WNBA, Allemand didn’t start playing for the Fever until the 2020 season. She immediately became a breakout player and starter for the team immediately, Allemand ended her first season ranked second in the league in both assists and second in the league in three-point percentage.

“We expect for her to grow on those things, especially being a guard-oriented offense that we have,” Wade said. “She’s going to be coming into a lot of familiarity, which is always great. So this is a very exciting day for the Sky.”

Allemand will return to play for Chicago after sitting out the 2021 WNBA season as she competed with the Belgium Olympic team.